COHO?

[kylefossett]

homeland security in the states is pretty strict when it comes to the ships. the santa ship that the bellingham lions club does each year around the san juan and gulf islands is an example. every year a pipe band from pender boards for the canadian part of the tour. this year homeland security was not going to allow that. something to do with an american commercial vessel not allowed to take on foreign passengers while in foreign waters. those bagpipes can take out the space needle if fitted with the right ammunition i guess

[Political Incorrectness]

If you made a big deal about bag pipes that would be just about as bad as sicsors that do not pose a threat.

[Retrovision]

So the airlines are loosening their restrictions on certain common potential weapons such as pocket knives and nail clippers, and yet you can't get a bagpipe on a ferry... hmm

Is that rule about foreigners not being allowed to board US ships in foreign waters part of the 'Jones act' (or is it 'Jones law'?)? I can remember the last time that my Grandma tried to get from here to her home in L.A. via a foreign (French) cruise ship (the only one available at the time), they wouldn't allow her to do so out of Vancouver because she would be travelling to the states from another country on a foreign ship... if that's not protectionist, then I don't know what is.