FEBRUARY 28, 2005

The Department of State and U.S. Coast Guard are including a new brochure with the nearly 300,000 watercraft renewal notices being mailed in March that asks residents to report suspicious activity along waterways.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Capt. Benjamin Watson, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard/Marine Safety Office in Detroit, state Rep. Jack Brandenburg,

R-Harrison Township, and Van Snider, president of the Michigan Boating Industries Association, are championing the federal "America's Waterway Watch" campaign to promote greater safety for Michigan waters. The program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Power Squadrons encourages residents to become the "eyes and ears" of the country by watching over coasts, bridges, tunnels, ports, ships and other water-related resources.

"Homeland security is everyone's responsibility," said Land, who oversees the titling and registration of more than 1 million watercraft. "Michigan has more than 3,000 miles of shoreline and it isn't possible for any one regulatory agency to patrol the entire area. However, local residents know what's going on around their waters, ports and docks. They are an excellent resource for spotting unusual or suspicious activity. By reporting suspect behavior to the authorities, everyone can help do their part to help protect this wonderful state."

"I would like to thank Secretary Land for her willingness to promote this important effort," said Brandenburg, who had approached Land about the campaign. "Terrorism is a growing global concern and we need to engage citizens in becoming active participants in fighting it."

The brochure, "Help Keep America's Waterways Safe and Secure," provides guidelines for identifying suspect or unusual behaviors or activity, along with reporting procedures. Residents are asked to report:

• Unattended vessels or vehicles in unusual locations such as under and around bridges, tunnels or overpasses, or near commercial areas or services like ports, fuel docks, cruise ships or marinas
• Lights flashing between boats
• Unusual night operations
• People near critical facilities who do not fit the surrounding environment such as individuals wearing improper attire

Residents are cautioned to not approach or challenge anyone acting suspiciously. They should call the National Response Center at 1-(800) 424-8802 or 1-(877) 24WATCH. For immediate dangers to life or property, calls should be made to 911.

In addition to the brochure, wallet cards and boat decals with similar information will be available in all Secretary of State branch offices as well as many boat dealerships through a partnership with the Michigan Boating Industries Association.

For more information about the "America's Waterway Watch" initiative, visit the

U.S. Coast Guard Web site at www.uscg.mil