Allen Ponsford Edwards

I wish to submit a comment regarding Docket Number USCG-2110-1004. The proposed rule intends to provide the operator of an escort vessel more time to respond to a potential terrorist attack. I suggest that this rule only apply to vessels that are escorted and that it should not apply to vessels, such as tankers, that are not escorted. 1) No terrorist is going to care what this rule says, so it will only do any good if there is an escort present on the scene. There is no reason to have this rule unless there is an escort. 2) Having this rule apply to un-escorted vessels places a burdensome demand on the many pleasure boats that sail SF Bay. My assumption is that it will be sufficiently burdensome that the rule will be ignored absent the presence of a patrol boat. To the degree that people ignore it, it undermines the respect for the Coast Guard and its rules. It risks people ignoring more important rules because they have learned, through this rule, that the Coast Guard makes stupid rules (asking terrorists to stay away from an anchored tanker when there is nobody there to stop them). I strongly suggest that you add “escorted by a USCG or other law enforcement Patrol Boat” to the definition of tankers to which this rule applies. Allen Edwards