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Satellite IDs Ships That Cut Cables

Posted by kdawson on from the busted-from-the-sky dept.

1sockchuck writes "Undersea telecom cable operator Reliance Globalcom was able to use satellite images to identify two ships that dropped anchor in the wrong place, damaging submarine cables and knocking Middle East nations offline in early February. The company used satellite images to study the movements of the two ships, and shared the information with officials in Dubai, who impounded the two vessels. The NANOG list has a discussion of where Reliance might have obtained satellite images to provide that level of detail. Google News links more coverage of the developments."

9 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Man, are those guys good, or what? by capnkr · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just think - the CIA/NSA/current administration somehow managed to purchase foreign-flagged ships of the line from arguably 'enemy' countries, hiding said purchases from both those governments, our own goverment, and the rest of the world, and then they somehow managed to get them to drop their anchors in just the places needed to cut the proper cables lying submerged on the seabed. They pulled all this off successfully - until YOU managed to figure it out.

    Brilliant!

    Huh? Occam who???

    --
    "...there are some things that can beat smartness and foresight. Awkwardness and stupidity can." ~ Mark Twain
    1. Re:Man, are those guys good, or what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Phase 1: Wait until ship stops near cable

      Phase 2: Send stealth submarine to cut cable

      Phase 3: Blame ship, produce satellite images for proof

      Phase 4: Profit

    2. Re:Man, are those guys good, or what? by buildguy · · Score: 4, Funny

      7. Hyperinflation.
      8. Buy a micronation sized chunk of the former United States.
      9. Dystopian Cyberpunk Future!

      --
      You think that's a building. Now this is a building.
    3. Re:Man, are those guys good, or what? by Viceroy+Potatohead · · Score: 4, Funny

      Don't be silly!

      The correct step three is:
      Build a fake Earth in New Mexico with a little model ship on it, and take a picture of it with a normal camera.

      Satellites? Pfft. You've bought into the hoax that we've actually sent things into orbit.

    4. Re:Man, are those guys good, or what? by alx5000 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Someone set us up the anchor!

      --
      My 0.02 cents
  2. Thank you Mr. Expert by TheMiddleRoad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it your years in the CIA or your years in the conspiracy nutjob section of the bookstore that make you so knowledgeable?

  3. Re:weird, huh? by dunezone · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well you finally solved it...

    1. Create Paranoia on Slashdot
    2. Make and Sell Tinfoil Hats
    3. Profit

  4. Re:Cite your sources by HoppQ · · Score: 5, Funny

    He said there are approximately 50 cable cuts a year, 65 percent of which are due to fishing trawlers dragging heavy nets and 18 percent of which are due to shipsâ(TM) anchors. âoeThey donâ(TM)t even track terrorism,â he said. âoeCable cuts are a routine part of the business.â
    A møøse once bit my sister's cable...
    --
    My sig will be released in 2015 third quarter. Rating pending.
  5. Oblig by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 4, Funny

    I find your ideas intriguing. I would like to purchase stock in your "tinfoil hat" company.