Canadian cops want cruise ships for Olympic beat

VANCOUVER, British Columbia: Canadian police are again looking to use cruise ships to house security officers during the 2010 Olympics, even though their first attempt at such a plan fell apart amid a cost dispute.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police need to find housing for about 5,300 people during the Vancouver Games and are looking for cruise ships to provide the extra accommodation, according to a government procurement request posted on Tuesday.

The request does not estimate how much the police expect to pay for the ships, but a lawsuit filed in connection with the first failed attempt put that tentative contract with a U.S. firm at just over C$55 million ($44 million).