ENIGMA 2000 Newsletter - Issue 14

January 2003
Articles, newsreports and Items of interest : e2k_news@hotmail.com

ENIGMA 2000 article - Coastwatchers

A brief piece in Issue 12 of the ENIGMA 2000 newsletter outlined an American idea TIPS.

TIPS or the Terrorism Information and Prevention System might seem innovative, but it is far from new.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise formed a group called 'Coastwatchers', recruiting from those who worked in dockyards and airports or on the coast.

For instance, ships docking are searched, often by rummage crews who could be identified by their overalls and tool belts.

On board they thoroughly searched, including the drilling of sample holes in containers to locate contraband drugs hidden in the walls. Shipping security staffs were frequently employed in anti-drug operations. Particular crewmembers were targeted and the security officers acted in an intelligence-gathering role.

There were successes, two crew members were convicted of smuggling whilst another British crewman was held in the West Indies for smuggling.

'Coastwatchers' were only expected to 'observe and report'.

However there was a rumour of one 'Coastwatcher' actually being 'wired' during an illegal migrant transfer to his point of exit in GB to catch more than interesting facts as his mouth ran away with itself in an attempt to stay in Britain. Due to the wonders of miniature electronics that small favour was denied him. That was an exception though, and certainly not the norm.

In keeping with the British way of doing things the scheme was not well funded and is perhaps a statement of the use that HM Customs made of that funding.

The 'Coastwatchers' were issued with information packs. They consisted of Four Hour manned telephone numbers, Identification aides in the form of silhouettes of coastal vessels, small craft and light aircraft. Instructions on how, and to whom, to report were included in addition to blank incident forms, the text of which stated:

How to report...

If you see something that you suspect could have smuggling implications, complete the enclosed Incident Report Form as soon as possible, using the identification charts as reference. First impressions are important. Try to make a note of what you see at the time - the form can be completed later if necessary. Note the time, date, place, and description of vessel or aircraft, colours, people involved, vehicle details plus a brief description of what you saw. The more details you note at the time, the easier it will be to report later.

Telephone the Coastwatch number as soon as possible after the sighting.

If you locate goods, do not disturb them, just report the location as accurately as possible, disturbing the goods could destroy vital evidence.

WARNING!

For your own protection do not involve yourself in any incident.

Do not attempt to contact customs Coastwatch by radio, unless there is an emergency, you may be overheard.

Many times it is easier to ignore suspicions rather than report them, now you can do something.

Of course you may never see anything that causes you to be suspicious, but if you do you have the simple means to take some action.

Thank you for your co-operation and for being part of the 'Front Line'.

Freephone Customs Coastwatch on nnnn nnnnnn

Incident Report

Insert the appropriate identification numbers. Elaborate as necessary.

Vessels Aircraft Vehicles

Time Date Place

O.S. Map reference [if known]

Distance and/or bearing from a point or features.

Vessel Details

Name Colour

Number Port of Registry Flag

Aircraft details

Reg.No. Colours

Vehicle Details

Reg No Colour Make Model

Number of Persons

Male Female Total Nationality

What you saw [continued overleaf].

[reverse of sheet had 20 ruled lines for a short 'statement'].

The volunteer 'Coastwatchers' were informed of successes and sightings by newsletters. Each Coastwatcher had an individual number, peculiar to that coastwatcher.

It is believed that the 'Coastwatchers' is now defunct

Thanks to Mr Anoni Mouse for his help in the preparation of this piece.