Coast Guard - FBI Tensions

April 3, 2006 — The government's response to a terrorist incident at sea could be confused and potentially disastrous because of squabbling between the Coast Guard and the FBI, an internal government watchdog said Monday.

The bickering came to a head in last year's weeklong anti-terrorism drill, TOPOFF 3, in which the Coast Guard said the FBI repeatedly blocked Coast Guard plans to try out a new team in a mock assault on a ferry off the coast of Connecticut, Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine said in a partially blacked-out, 103-page report.

The FBI wanted to limit the assault to its elite Hostage Rescue Team. The Coast Guard ultimately changed the scenario to circumvent the FBI's role as the lead agency, Fine said.

A plan released in October that was intended to address the problem does not sufficiently clarify the agencies' roles, Fine said.

"In our judgment, unless such differences over roles and authorities are resolved, the response to a maritime incident could be confused and potentially disastrous," Fine said.

Spokesman for both agencies did not immediately comment on the report.

The inspector general's report looked at the FBI's efforts to protect 360 U.S. seaports. It noted that special weapons and tactics teams closest to 14 of the busiest ports have received special training for maritime threats and incidents.

COAST GUARD:

FBI:

Guess who wins the argument?