Ferry Bomb Threat

Ferries bound for Swartz Bay and Duke Point left Tsawwassen late Saturday after a bomb threat shut down the ferry terminal for much of the afternoon and evening.

Earlier, travellers were re-routed to Horseshoe Bay after a “credible” bomb threat was phoned in to Delta police, forcing the shutdown of BC Ferries operations at Tsawwassen. The Queen of New Westminster, which had already departed for Duke Point, returned to port to be searched, and the Swartz Bay-bound Queen of Vancouver was evacuated and searched.

Both ferries were later cleared for departure.

Three bomb-sniffing police dogs were brought in to search several ferries and about 1,100 vehicles at the terminal. vancouver sun

I travel on the ferry to and from the mainland regularly. It is not telling terrorists anything they don’t know to say that security is non-existent. If ever there was a case for a full time security presence - and, no, not taking sharp objects and liquids away from ferry passengers - the apparently prank caller has made it. Even a random process of screening cars and drivers and having a dog sniff trucks would have a deterrent effect.

Written by jay on July 29th, 2007 with 3 comments.
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Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Jay Jardine
#1. July 31st, 2007, at 3:54 AM.

My understanding is they are going to “Level 2″ security procedures as part of a Transport Canada requirement this fall (he who subsidizes call the tune, I guess). This would involve selective vehicle searches, but thankfully none of the airport-style screening lunacy.

For me, the ferry is one of the last remaining mass transportation experiences that has not been ruined through security panics, adherence to 1960’s style rules and regs (although the unions/management relationship is as septic as anywhere else in BC) and cheek-to-jowl traveling quarters. Nothing beats a nap in the quiet confines of my own car while on the way to a business meeting on the island. I do hope it stays that way.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com jay
#2. July 31st, 2007, at 4:09 AM.

Selective searches would be a start. this need not be intrusive. Lord knows the cars line up for three quarters of an hour on a good day - three sailings on a bad - and a couple of sniffer dogs could work the line up.

And, Jay, if you are over give me a e-mail and we can have a beer.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Sean
#3. August 3rd, 2007, at 5:24 AM.

“Selective searches would be a start. this need not be intrusive.”

How the hell is a search NOT intrusive? Give your head a shake.

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