Signs that the country is at war are visible on Washington State Ferries and in the ferry system’s terminals.
As they have done intermittently since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, uniformed Washington State Patrol troopers are riding ferries, walking passenger and car decks and checking terminals for potential terrorist action. But now they are out in force, and they’ll be riding regularly for a while.
Since the war in Iraq began on March 19, security on the ferries has increased. But the patrol will not disclose the number of troopers involved or comment on which routes are covered.
“For security reasons, we are not releasing specific numbers,” said Nelsa Brodie, a WSP spokeswoman. “But we have added more personnel since Sept. 11, 2001.”
Since the Iraq war started, troopers are more visible on board ferries. Additionally, Coast Guard vessels randomly escort ferries from one dock to another.
These measures are all part of the Coast Guard’s threat definition.
Brodie says she doesn’t know of any direct threat against the ferry system. Even so, troopers are walking the car and passenger decks of vessels under way.
The price for the additional patrols is unknown at this point, since the ferry troopers have not been doing the work for a full pay period yet. Brodie said some of the troopers are working overtime. The extra cost for the patrols will be paid by the state: The legislature has pledged $1.8 million toward the ferry security program.
The threat level of the ferry system is determined by the Coast Guard, which is currently at a heightened maritime security level. This means that the Coast Guard believes there is a risk of an unlawful act against a port, facility or vessel, and that intelligence indicates terrorists are likely to be active within a specific area or against a specific target.
Even so, Washington State Ferries spokeswoman Susan Harris-Huether said there have not been any specific threats against the ferry system.
“But we have been on a heightened alert since 9/11. Since then, people are just more aware and more vigilant about what is going on around them,” she said.
A new committee formed following Sept. 11, 2001, and comprised of members of the Washington State Patrol, Washington State Ferries and the Coast Guard regularly discusses security issues.
