Robert Lee Agra, Jr.

Dear Sir or Madam, I disagree with the proposed requirement to expand the use of the A.I.S. system to additional ports and classes of vessels. We operate four "T" boats #271101, #278033, #600933, #1079694 and one "K" boat #975006 in the downtown area of Chicago on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. They operate less than one mile from shore in fair weather only per their C.O.I.'s. restrictions. I can agree with the requirement for A.I.S. in an area that has a large amount of unknown foreign vessel trafffic such as a coastwise port. However, as I stated in my last comment on this subject, the A.I.S. system is not needed in downtown the Chicago area. All the vessels in downtown Chicago that will be required to have A.I.S. normally operate in the area. Thus, the masters are able to recognize any A.I.S. required vessel day or at night already. In addition, the A.I.S. system could help the terrorist by informing them of the details of the passenger vessel traffic in the area. In my opion, there would be no increase in security in the downtown Chicago area. The estimated cost of several thousand dollars to install the A.I.S. system on our vessels would be a unwarrented expense in this time of economic crisis. I strongly suggest that you do not expand the A.I.S. system to areas that do not have a large number of unknown foreign vessel traffic. Respectfully, Capt. Robert L. Agra, Jr. License #1151632, Issue #7