BANGOR, Wash. (AP) -- The Navy says it has decided to use teams of security officers and specially trained bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to help protect Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
The Navy said Wednesday the system is designed to counter threats from swimmers or divers, and will be implemented in 2010.
An environmental impact statement evaluated the potential effects of several factors on the Navy's dolphins and sea lions, including temperature, noise, water quality, toxins and the presence of other marine mammals. It concluded that the creatures are not expected to be harmed by being transferred to and living at Bangor on Washington's Hood Canal.
