Checking of cars & Passengers

[cascade]

Do you think we will have full on airport style checking of cars and passengers - after these two problems have appeared on the World stage - or is BC coastal waters safe?



Interferry

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Ferry Passengers Screened for Explosives

From Marin Independent Journal (www.marinij.com) Golden Gate Ferry passengers will be screened for explosives beginning Monday in San Francisco as part of a pilot program that is the first of its kind in the nation. Under the program, initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration, all passengers will be handed a strip of paper at the entrance of the ferry terminal. The paper will be able to pick up trace evidence of explosives at the touch of a hand, according to a brochure that is now being given to ferry patrons. The paper will then be handed to a Transportation Security Administration screener at a checkpoint and passed through an explosives screening device. If there is a positive reading, a secondary screening will take place. The pilot program - which will continue through September - could spread to other ferry systems if successful, officials said. There have not been any specific threats against the Golden Gate ferries, and officials with the program declined comment on why the Golden Gate Ferry system was picked for the pilot. The U.S. Coast Guard has already been randomly boarding Golden Gate ferries and providing occasional escorts for the vessels as part of increased security in the wake of terrorist bombings in London.


Interferry

Monday, August 29, 2005

Terrorists Strike Philippines Ferry

From Lloyd’s List (www.lloydslist.com) Maritime terrorism has reared its head again in the Philippines in a blast on a ferry in the troubled south of the country. The Abu Sayaaf terrorist group is being blamed for a blast on the 240 dwt, Philippines-flagged ferry Dona Ramona on Sunday that injured at least 30 people. The ferry was about to set sail from Lamitan, Basilan to Zamboanga City when the bomb went off. The device used in the attack on the Dona Ramona was said to be homemade and placed under LPG tanks. The bomb caused a fireball that injured both passengers and soldiers with cuts and burns and forced 300 passengers to jump overboard to safety. It would not be the first time that Abu Sayaaf has bombed a passenger ferry in the Philippines. The terror group was blamed for the explosion onboard the Superferry 14 in February last year killing 116 people.

[YZFNick]

Georgia Strait isn't exactly a terrorist hotbed. It will get that way for international trips here, but that's about it.

[Koastal Karl]

yeah that's true!

[cascade]

Based on the total screw up on dealing with the Hurricane which they had 4 days notice - how the Hell will America deal with a terrorist attack ? 9/11 was a one off - but was expected - a number of key people worked out that the World Trade Center would be hit.

I can't see what the checking of cars & Passengers - which just slows down the movement of people and causes a hassle. Here in the UK - London after the IRA bombs - London just gets back to normal very quickly - not any real extra checks on passengers or cars - like entering London or riding the Tube / Train.
Seem like a lot of over reaction - bolting the gate after the horse has left - making sure it can't get back home. Head less chicken also springs to mine...

[YZFNick]

Do any ships provide on-board customs? I've always thought that it would be a good idea to have customs people go from car to car while the ship is in motion and process people for customs. Once you are cleared for customs, your car gets a sticker or a stamp and you can go up and have a bowl of soup or something. Since you're stuck on the ferry anyways, why not get your border crossing in order and effectively have no extra time spent waiting at a border crossing.

[cascade]

Nick,

Very good - point I totally forgot about that. Before in Europe we had on-board clearance - but now that most of the countries are part of the EU - moving around Europe - you don't have that any more. No Passport controls. (So if you come to Europe on a Canadian passport - once you land in Europe - there is no more stamps - customs for you)

When I go by ship to Norway from say Sweden - I walk straight on - via an airport scanner / x-ray system - then while on board I clear Customs as Norway is not part of EU. If I was driving - not sure - only done that as a foot passenger.

You know all about the "fast track" clearance systems that Airlines have - also there is a system to deal with massive volumes of people in the Cruise ship business - therefore I think they must have the systems out there - as how do they clear 3,000 people on a single cruise ship coming into a foreign port - when they only dock for a few hours? -
Karl whats your view on this subject??

[Koastal Karl]

I am down at the Cruise Ship terminal here alot and some ships are only here for like 3 or 4 hours sometimes and the tons of people that come off! On Saturday nights we have 3 ships docked in Victoria, one comes at like 5 another at 6 and other at 8pm and they all leave at midnight! There are three piers they dock at and all passengers line up to get back through now I dont know what they have to go through if they have to show something to get back on or how customs works! But as for customs onboard the ferries, I am not too sure! We took the Anacortes ferry last month from Sidney BC and went through immagration in Sidney then Customs in Anacortes! It would be easier to do it on the ferry then you dont have to wait for 20 mins in line when you get off! But I wouldent want to spend time waiting for them to come around on the ferry as I like to go up top right away! When we came back through the border at Osoyoos they just asked a couple of questions and dident even ask for indentification which surprised me! Was interesting!

[YZFNick]

The last time I went through the Canadian guard didn't even put down his newspaper.

[Koastal Karl]

yeah but I remember one time a few years ago we came off the Coho in Victoria and we were pulled aside and they searched the van and everything for some reason! First time we had that happen! And it was Canadian Customs!

[cascade]

Ah the "White Van Man" - here in London they get pulled all the time - lots of jokes about the White Van Man - trade.
So you look a touch dodgy then Karl??

[cascade]

Why do American go so much over the top - This is just pure out of line. What do you think ??

Monday, September 12, 2005

Armed Guards Boost Ferry Security

From The Daily Press (www.dailypress.com)

Thousands of motorists who use the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry in Virginia can expect more stringent screenings this week, when the state adds armed guards and thorough car searches. The stricter security comes as part of a one-year $1.3 million contract recently signed by the Virginia Department of Transportation and Securiguard Inc. Coast Guard officials had suggested stronger security on the ferry, which carries about 3,000 passengers a day during the busy summer months.

Starting Monday, guards were to be posted on both sides of the James River to check automobiles boarding the ferry. They will be authorized to arrest people, and the random searches of automobiles promise to be more painstaking. In some cases, the guards may decide to search trunks that appear weighted down, closed containers, trailers and campers.

"These guards are going to be doing much more thorough searches of undercarriages and engine blocks," said VDOT spokeswoman Lauren Hansen.

[Doug]

Cascade, weather is a little bit different than a terrorist attack...terrorist attacks are usually unpredictable. I do have to agree that the US was pretty bad at evacuating earlier. I seen an episode of "Daily Planet" on TV and apparently some guy knew what was coming..."some guy" being said because I didn't catch it all, probably a meteorologist. What they should do if they fear bombs, is cause no hassle to passengers. Go around the waiting vehicles with bomb-sniffing dogs. Luggage for foot passengers, however, can be similar to an airport's system, if they REALLY feel it's necessary.

[Political Incorrectness]

got that right doug same with hurricane katrina THOSE SOUTHERENERS DIDNT LEAVE JUST GET EVERYONE ON BUSES AND GO! DONT HOLD REFUGE GET ALL CARS AND BUSES AND GO! if a hurricane is coming dont wait just leave then we dont have to spend money on people so much

[SS San Mateo]

nick said:

Do any ships provide on-board customs? I've always thought that it would be a good idea to have customs people go from car to car while the ship is in motion and process people for customs. Once you are cleared for customs, your car gets a sticker or a stamp and you can go up and have a bowl of soup or something. Since you're stuck on the ferry anyways, why not get your border crossing in order and effectively have no extra time spent waiting at a border crossing.

Something like that would be a good idea for the Anacortes-Sydney run. Wouldn't have to have anyone who boarded in Friday Harbor to go through customs (which is what is done now at Anacortes).

-- LB

[Political Incorrectness]

or you could have it happen before you get into line that may work better

[cascade]

Doug,

I can fully understand for checks at KEY places ect.... as they maybe targets - but on a small local crossing - what major terrorist target to they posses.
It is the same - with a standard crossing with BCFS - what major target is there? That will capture worldwide news - respect ?? only maybe the local "home" grown terrorist. America on the other hand does have a lot of there own home grown nutters....so checks on them.

There are a lot of freak weather fronts that come and go over the years - some worst than others. Here they had a few days notice - so the government failed there people. They should learn and fix it - so it doesn't happen again - that is the defense of water/damns and speed up the way they deal with the homeless people - relief effort.

A terrorist - well they will hit you from the last place you think they will - but it will be big - to make an impact and get there point across about something. The IRA bombed the hell out of London from late 70's Thur the 80's and early 90's while I lived here. It was an interesting time - police checks ect... which never stopped any bomber getting Thur - the CCTV we now have in London is what caught most or all of the bombers. Car and baggage checks didn't do anything.

[Koastal Karl]

Well the sailing from Sidney BC to Anacortes which stops at Friday Harbour they just let people off they dont pick anyone up! As I have been on that sailing twice. But if you sail from Friday Harbour to Anacortes you wouldent go through customs it's only for the international run I would assume!

[Doug]

Well...BC Ferries shouldn't be a big target but it could happen. Maybe they want people to fear them, in that they will do anything they want...respect is also something. But why did they bomb the commuter trains in London? That's a local crossing...why did they bomb trains in Spain? That's a local crossing....

[SS San Mateo]

karl said:

Well the sailing from Sidney BC to Anacortes which stops at Friday Harbour they just let people off they dont pick anyone up! As I have been on that sailing twice. But if you sail from Friday Harbour to Anacortes you wouldent go through customs it's only for the international run I would assume!

I looked at the summer schedule and there was no mention of passengers boarding the ferry at Friday Harbor being subject to customs inspections at Anacortes on the sailing from Sydney. The fall schedule does mention the following for the sailing from Sydney:

All passengers boarding in Friday Harbor and their belongings are subject to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Inspection.

I wonder if the Elwha has on-board customs. Assuming the Chelan is assigned to the international sailing for the fall schedule, that could explain the difference.

-- LB

[Koastal Karl]

The Chelan, what, she is on the international run in the winter??? I always thought it was teh Elwha or the Evergreen State??

[Political Incorrectness]

Karl it is the Elwha that runs fulltime unless she is in for refit SS Elwha does not have on board customs and the Chelan is not SOLAS certified

[Koastal Karl]

Yes I knew the Elwha was the main ship on the run but someone mentioned the Chelan so I was just wondering! Probably during the winter months they probably could get by with a smaller ship like the Chelan! Dosent seem to busy during the winter months!

[Balfour]

What does SOLAS mean?

[Political Incorrectness]

karl said:

Yes I knew the Elwha was the main ship on the run but someone mentioned the Chelan so I was just wondering! Probably during the winter months they probably could get by with a smaller ship like the Chelan! Dosent seem to busy during the winter months!

I wonder why they cancel the sailing in winter time then? anyway Karl it isnt busy in winter anyway SOLAS is Safety of Life at Sea US Coast Guard Requirement which is a step up from regular requirements on our state ferries probably the same for bc ferries requirements cause it travels in open water.

[Doug]

The requirements in Europe must be weak because I was looking up a ship that had a passenger capacity of 400 and didn't have enough room in the life boats/rafts for 300.