WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES

Response to letter about security

Dear Editor,

posted 1/31/2006
The security on the ferries is markedly inconsistent. It punishes pedestrians (belongings unattended in cars are just fine) and too often neglects real safety.

This Sunday morning as I was walking up the overhead walkway, a car came screaming down onto the ferry ramp -- past the signs that explicitly tell you not to drive past them. There were two ferries in the dock. When the car got there all of the passengers jumped out. Then all but the driver went running up the walkway.

During this security breach not a single ferry worker approached them (at least these people were probably just late fools and less dangerous than the drunken rowdies that Mr. Bell mentions).

Yet as a pedestrian on the ferries I get harassed if I leave my books while I use the restroom (yes I have actually had ferry workers follow me into the rest room to tell me not to leave my "belongings" unattended).

I wish we could simply be nicer to each other and focus on real safety and security, rather than this parody that is being pandered by the security business and the governments.

Madrona Murphy

Letter about lack of security on ferry

Letter sent to Washington State Ferries,

posted 1/30/2006
Last night on the 8:25 from Anacortes to Friday Harbor my wife could not find one single ferry worker to report a carload of drunk and disorderly passengers on the car deck. It was after leaving Orcas that the drunkenness became very disturbing. She searched the passenger deck twice to find a ferry worker but to no avail. She even knocked on some doors to find someone but there was no response.

She was forced to call the San Juan County Sheriff. They responded quickly and decisively to this problem by boarding the boat and dealing with the drunk passengers.

It is very disturbing to realize that if there was a possible life threatening situation on the ferry there may not be anyone available or willing to help. It is also ironic that we all have to endure a loud pre-recorded security message after leaving every stop only to search in vain for a worker to report a simple possible security issue.

I realize it was a late night run but that is not an excuse to be so uninvolved with your passengers safety and security.

Perhaps the WSF could beef up security in these modern times by having a worker walk the car deck at regular intervals…maybe once. If an alert and concerned employee had walked around the car deck just one time they would have witnessed this troubling behavior and would have been able to protect the citizens of Friday Harbor from a drunk driver.

Please look into this. Contact the Sheriff, get the details, and please get back to me.

Scott Bell

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