Tourists Beware: Mandatory Forms for Ferry Photos

[Northern Exploration]

I really enjoy coming to the site and seeing the great photos many have taken. But we need to keep a few things in perspective.

I stayed in Milleniun Hilton across from the WTC the weekend before that terrible event. That was too close for comfort for me and it has affected my views a fair bit. I have gladly endured the extra security and increased stress that is now part of travel knowing safety is a prudent side to err on these days.

Ferry systems and bridges in BC have been scouted, as have major transit systems and major buildings in the East. Numerous media comments have confirmed that. Canada has been mentioned as a prime target.

How do you define homegrown? Caucasion photo takers allowed but those with dark skin or middle east features aren't?

Imagine the massive disruption if something were to happen on a ferry. Imagine the impact prior to the Olmpics is something were to happen is quiet and calm BC. Would all cars have to be searched? Would we have airport style security? What would the balance be between safety and inconvenience? Can you imagine the line-ups on a busy summer day?

If it means that for extensive photos of ships and ferries some sort of permission needs to be gained I suppose that is small price to pay. I would seriously doubt that BC Ferries wants to ban enthusiasts from picture taking. They have a difficult job trying to keep everyone happy while trying to increase security.

Maybe it is time to have a Ferry Watch type of group similar to the airport watches in Vancouver and Toronto. Members go through security and police background checks and they have a sort of an id. These aviation buffs then keep their eyes and ears open for unusual activity while they are persuing their hobby. Airport security personnel know who they are. Many are aviation and airport workers. I have been involved in the volunteer testing of the new Terminal One in Toronto and have seen many suggestions these people have made to increase security while not inconveniencing passengers.

It is a sad commentary on our world right now we have to have discussions like these.

[Scott]

pnwtraveler said:

Maybe it is time to have a Ferry Watch type of group similar to the airport watches in Vancouver and Toronto. Members go through security and police background checks and they have a sort of an id. These aviation buffs then keep their eyes and ears open for unusual activity while they are persuing their hobby. Airport security personnel know who they are. Many are aviation and airport workers. I have been involved in the volunteer testing of the new Terminal One in Toronto and have seen many suggestions these people have made to increase security while not inconveniencing passengers.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and opinion.

The above quotation sounds like a great idea. Instead of discouraging interest in their industry, they're encouraging it and at the same time possibly improving security. The only problem with the ferries, is there isn't really a "security" to decide who is "good" and who is "bad".

[Neil]

It does seem pointless and absurd to harrass people taking pictures on ferries, but if we knew of other people who had had the same experiences tsawwassenterminal describes, we would have a better idea as to whether this is a matter of heavy handed security enforcement policy, or if there are other issues at play here.

As to the civil rights aspect, ferries are public places only in the same sense than airplanes and government buildings are public places. I don't think there's anything in our charter of rights and freedoms that guarantees the right to unauthorized photography if there is thought to be a security risk. It is not, as Alex said, okay to tell someone "none of your business" if they ask you about the nature of your business while you're photographing on private or government property.
Since we don't have much context, it's hard to tell what's going on here. On the surface, it is difficult to see the reason for hassling one person taking ferry photos.