PORT ANGELES — People traveling by ferry from Victoria or flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport should allow themselves more time because of increased security measures.
Both the MV Coho ferry from Victoria and the Washington state ferry from Sidney, British Columbia, are experiencing delays as a result of extensive vehicle searches in both Canadian cities by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the wake of the terror plot uncovered in Great Britain.
“It’s taken about 20 minutes longer so far, which isn’t a big deal compared to the airlines,” said Wayne Barrett, manager of Black Ball Transport.
Black Ball operates the Coho between Port Angeles and Victoria.
Jack Harmon, who operates the Victoria Express passenger ferry out of Port Angeles and another ferry between Victoria and Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands, could not be reached for comment.
The vehicle searches do not apply to domestic runs such as the Washington State ferries between Port Townsend and Keystone, Bainbridge Island and Seattle and Kingston and Edmonds.
Ferries entering the United States are being searched, not those going to Canada.
Operations on the water in Port Angeles Harbor have not been affected, said Port Deputy Executive Director Dave Hagiwara.
The Marine Security level, or MARSEC, remains at its lowest level of one, he said.
Delays at Sea-Tac
There are no delays for passengers boarding Kenmore Air flights between Port Angeles and Seattle’s Boeing Field.
Kenmore passengers don’t undergo security screenings.
But if your Kenmore flight is connecting to another flight at Sea-Tac, “we’re telling people to give themselves two hours,” said Tom Tilson, director of flight operations for Kenmore.
“Sea-Tac’s minimum connection time is 55 minutes under normal circumstances.
“There’s longer than normal lines because of the security.”
Kenmore uses a free shuttle bus to take passengers between Boeing and Sea-Tac.