New federal rules for ferry security announced

By Rebecca Cook
The Associated Press

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OLYMPIA — Ferry riders won't have to worry about constant airport-style security searches under the new federal Maritime Security Rules, announced today by Homeland Defense Secretary Tom Ridge.

The new rules set up a three-tiered security plan. Ferry security procedures will vary according to the national threat level.

Washington state officials had worried that the original proposal to require metal detectors and searches for every passenger would be too costly, inconvenient and slow.

"I am pleased that the Coast Guard has abandoned its one-size-fits-all approach to ferry security," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "The new, more flexible plan will improve safety without compromising service for our communities."

The new system will require some screening and searches, but that will affect only a fraction of passengers unless the national security level is on high alert.

Washington has the nation's largest ferry system, carrying more than 26 million passengers a year, including an estimated 75,000 commuters per day in Puget Sound. The government started working to increase ferry security after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"We are vulnerable," said Patricia Patterson, a spokeswoman for Washington State Ferries. "The goal here is to make sure everyone who works or rides on the ferries is safe."

After the initial outcry over the proposed Maritime Security rules, Patterson said the Coast Guard has listened to the concerns of ferry officials and ferry riders who want to make sure security changes don't bog down the system so much it can't run.

"They understand we need to get people to and from work in a timely manner," Patterson said Thursday, as ferry officials met with Coast Guard officials to discuss the new rules. The rules are guidelines; the state will have to come up with its specific security procedures by Dec. 31, and the deadline for implementing them is July 1, 2004.

Ferry officials were meeting Thursday to read through the lengthy rules and figure out how implementing the new security procedures will affect passengers, and the ferry system's budget.

Patterson said the estimated $20 million cost will be the biggest hurdle. The federal government has granted Washington $9 million for ferry security. But the state, which cut services including foot ferries this year after facing a nearly $3 billion budget hole, doesn't have a spare $11 million lying around.

"The issue for us is going to be the funding," Patterson said. "The state has no money. Any additional money we need for security will be very difficult to come by."

Under the new rules, ferry security will have three different levels, corresponding to the Coast Guard's security levels, which differ from the Homeland Security Department's alert levels:

Low: Screen a percentage (the exact percentage will be up to ferry officials to decide) of people, bags and vehicles.

Medium: Increase the percentage of people, bags and vehicles being screened and limit waterside access to ferries. This may include boat patrols.

High: Screen everyone and every bag. Armed guards patrol ferries.

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