Wanted to go to West Seattle, stole ferry

Victoria Clipper IV

DECEMBER 2, 2013 — Here’s an incident that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “taking the ferry.”

It was a morning of adventure on the high seas yesterday for Seattle police, the U.S. Coast Guard and Port of Seattle police after a man stole the 132-foot catamaran ferry Victoria Clipper IV and headed out into the middle of Elliott Bay early Sunday.

The boat was discovered 300 yards out from Pier 69 on the Seattle waterfront around 7 AM, and it first appeared the ferry was adrift.

However, when a tugboat went to retrieve the boat its crew discovered there was a man on board the ferry and contacted the Coast Guard and police.

SPD’s SWAT, patrol and Arson Bomb Squad responded to Elliott Bay along with Port of Seattle police and US Coast Guard boat and helicopter teams.

Police negotiators contacted the man on the ship and, eventually, a tactical team boarded the vessel and arrested the suspect.

The man told police he had planned to take the boat to West Seattle.

Police booked the 33-year-old suspect—Samuel Kenneth McDonough—into the King County Jail for investigation of burglary, reckless endangerment, malicious mischief and a warrant. The Port of Seattle Police Department will handle follow-up on the case.

Built in Bergen, Norway, the Victoria Clipper IV is 132 feet long, 33.3 feet wide and is waterjet propelled with a speed of up to 30 knots