Long Beach cruise ship bomb threat launches massive security effort

Long Beach cruise ship bomb threat launches massive security effort    Federal and local law enforcement agencies responding to a cruise ship bomb threat at the Port of Long Beach on Friday found nothing after a comprehensive search of the docked vessel and shore side facilities.
   The threat against the Carnival cruise ship Paradise, preparing for departure at the Port of Long Beach cruise facility, was phoned into the Carnival reservation center Friday afternoon. Company security officials reported it to the Los Angeles Coast Guard station at 2:20 p.m.
   Agents from the Los Angeles Coast Guard station joined Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach Harbor Patrol, and Customs and Border Protection in performing security sweeps of the facility and the vessel. During the security effort, all cargo and passenger luggage aboard the Paradise was reinspected.
   The sweeps and inspections, including a 100 percent search of critical vessel compartments and passenger cabins, were completed by 5 p.m. Friday with nothing found.
   Coast Guard Marine Safety and Security Team boats and a Long Beach police boat escorted the Carnival Paradise out of Long Beach Harbor Friday evening.