Another roundtrip ferry crossing yesterday. No security at either terminal.

What is the point in having gunboats escorting ferries if terrorists are free to put their boat on a trailer and drive it onto the ferry?

 

Oct. 2014-

Non-terrorist demonstrates lack of security protocols at typical Washington State ferries terminal-

Vehicle blows by ticket booth, ignoring personnel assigned to proper staging of vehicles:

Washington State ferries post-911 security protocols update:

 

SWAT teams to drop from choppers in unique ferry terrorism drill

Just the ticket for the day terrorists abandon the sneak attack (Oklahoma City, 911, USS Cole, US Marine barracks Beirut, etc.) and go with a good old fashioned shoot-out between the good guys and the bad guys.

If the Oklahoma City bomber rolls onto the ferry- how does the SWAT team help out an hour later?

Training scenario-

Are the bad guys allowed to fire on the good guy’s boats and helicopters?

No hostages, bewildered passengers or suicide bombers in the mix?

How about the bad guys drive a vehicle from the car deck onto the good guy’s boat as they pull up?

See bottom photo here.

Related: Video- Reporters Doing Promotional & Public Relations Work-

 

It will be easy to spot an attempted strike. Expect the bad guys to be sloppy- the packages they send will look like they were put together by drunken 3rd graders, or Wile E Coyote.

 

Washington State ferry passengers are advised via PA system to not leave backpacks or packages unattended during ferry crossings.

Meanwhile- on the car deck- cars, trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, etc. are left unattended during ferry crossings.

 

One of our local TV stations recently informed us about Homeland Security gunboats on Puget Sound.

Video here

This hard-hitting interview was an opportunity to answer most FAQs.

Serious subject matter- covered like an elementary school field trip down to the fire station- except- students might come up with some intelligent or interesting questions at the fire station.

What questions went unasked?

1) How does the gunboat protect the ferry if a bad guy is already onboard? The Washington State Patrol uses dogs to check vehicles at some ferry terminals on some days. Walk-on passengers are not checked at any terminal- at any time.

2) “Terrorists” (If they really are out to get us) can communicate just like teenagers- they can wait in line and ride the ferry just like anyone else. What would stop terrorists from riding the ferry and alerting each other if they see a US Coast Guard escort or Washington State Patrol dogs sniffing cars prior to loading?

3) If a terrorist wanted to get their boat dangerously close to a ferry- they could just put it on a trailer and drive it on- what would prevent this?

4) What stops terror strikes on the days US Coast Guard gunboats are not providing escorts on any given route or Washington State Patrol dogs are not on duty at any given terminal?

 

Once again- no hostages, bewildered passengers or suicide bombers in the staged ferry boat rescue at 0:45

 

Washington State Ferries propaganda video-

 

Related:

Gunboat escorts on Puget Sound