PORT TOWNSEND — An apparently intoxicated Rockport man climbed a fence and jumped onto the state ferry MV Klickitat early Thursday morning, prompting a bomb search aboard the Port Townsend-Keystone vessel.
Port Townsend police arrested the 22-year-old man, whose actions delayed ferry traffic for about two hours.
Police arrested the man on charges of criminal trespassing and damage to state property. Police declined to identify him until his initial court appearance.
Port Townsend Police Department officers were dispatched to the ferry dock after a call came at 5:51 a.m., said Officer Darryl Elmore.
A ferry ticket agent called 9-1-1 to report that someone got out of a vehicle, climbed over a fence and entered the empty ferry docked at the terminal.
Upon arrival, police apprehended a man who they said appeared to be intoxicated.
Three other occupants of the vehicle, all nonresidents of Jefferson County, also appeared under the influence, and some had invalid licenses, Elmore said.
Arraignment due today
The man’s arraignment in Jefferson County Superior Court is scheduled today, police spokesman said.
Washington State Patrol, notified by police officers, also arrived at the scene and decided to conduct a vessel-wide bomb search.
Law enforcement agents evacuated ferry staff from the vessel.
No bombs were found in the search, Elmore said.