Ferries notch up security measures

VEHICLES SCREENED

Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry operator in the U.S., is warningvehicle drivers to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing to ensure that their vehicles can be properly screened prior to boarding.

"We are taking precautionary and prudent steps to keep our citizens safe," Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire said: "These measures will lead to more canine patrols and Washington State patrol troopers at our ferry terminals, heightened crew vigilance on board the ferries and increase on-the-water presence by the U.S. Coast Guard."

"It also means increased screening of large capacity vehicles," she noted. In 2004, Washington State Ferries (WSF) carried 24 million passengers and 10.8 million vehicles.

Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Susan Harris-Huether told Marine Log that Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the U.S. Coast Guard have increased the percentage of vehicles screened that board WSF ferries. "We don't search vehicles," said Harris-Huether, "but rather run bomb-sniffing dogs up the line of vehicles. At this point, the screenings have not caused any delays." All of Washington State Ferries' screening is handled by the WSP troopers and Coast Guard personnel. The WSP and the Coast Guard also bear all the costs of the screenings.

Harris-Huether also said the WSF does not screen luggage or backpacks. "I'm not saying we wouldn't do that at all," said Harris-Huether, "but we are mainly a commuter service. However, we performed an extensive risk assessment that showed the most significant threat was posed by explosives placed in vehicles."

Rear Adm. Jeffrey Garrett, Commander, 13th Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast Guard, said, "Based on the activities and terrorist trends we've seen around the world, it's in everyone's best interest to step up our maritime security measures."

Added Garrett, "We are also encouraging other passengers vessels to increase their security precautions and we encourage all citizens to be on the lookout for suspicious or unusual activity on or near our waterways."

Since 9-11, and in response to MTSA, members of the WSF Security Committee, comprised of Washington State Ferries, Washington State Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard, have worked collaboratively to develop and implement an extensive security plan for the ferry system.

Meanwhile, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) performs all its own vehicle screenings. "We either use Marine Highway employees or contracted screeners," said AMHS spokesman John Manly. "Every vehicle is scrutinized." Of course, what that also means is that all the cost of security is borne by AMHS. About 400,000 passengers and 100,000 vehicles are carried annually by AMHS.

PIPE BOMB AND A BOMB THREAT

On July 15, Canadian Border Services agents also arrested an American tourist traveling on a ferry who had a small pipe bomb in the glove box of his pick-up truck. The agents arrested the man arriving in Victoria, B.C., aboard the M/V Coho from Port Angeles, Wash.

The explosive device was made from a three-inch brass pipe packed with black powder and a six-inch fuse.

On July 17, U.S. Coast Guard units established a security zone in Nantucket, Mass., harbor and responded with local and state agencies to a bomb threat received at Hy-Line Cruises' Nantucket passenger ferry terminal. As a result of the threat, the Captain of the Port of Woods Hole and Marine Safety Office Providence suspended ferry operations. Coast Guard Station Brant Point, Nantucket Police Department and Massachusetts State Police all responded to the terminal.

Ferries operated by Hy-Line Cruises and The Steamship Authority in Nantucket Harbor were evacuated and swept for explosive devices. No explosives or suspicious objects were found. Other ferry vessels operating in the immediate area were put on alert to take appropriate precautions.

The next day, the Coast Guard Federal Maritime Security Coordinator cleared ferry operations in Nantucket Harbor to resume their morning schedule.

On July 18, Newsday reported that two teenagers and a juvenile were charged with making the false threat. There was reportedly no political motivation behind the threat.