Thursday’s terrorist bombings in London brought changes to mass transit and ferry operations on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Shortly after news of the rush-hour attacks reached U.S. shores, the Department of Homeland Security put subways, buses and commuter trains in major metropolitan areas on high “orange” alert.
The explosions ripped through three London subway trains and a bus, killing at least 40 people. The attacks had the trademarks of the al-Qaida network, terrorism experts said.
The most visible difference to ferry service in and out of Port Angeles Thursday was two U.S. Coast Guard boats escorting the MV Coho into harbor.
“We usually do random escorts on ferries, though we don’t keep them too regular to tip anyone off,” said Jeff James, Coast Guard chief petty officer stationed on Ediz Hook.
“Because of the events in London, we did beef up our escorts today.”
Nicole Melvin, an employee for Black Ball Transport, which runs MV Coho, said she’d seen nothing different during loading and unloading of passengers Thursday.
At the nearby Victoria Express passenger ferry terminal, the company’s security official, who declined to give his name, said the company never discusses its security policies.
State Ferries take action
Washington State Ferry terminals, including Port Townsend and others serving North Olympic Peninsula passengers, can expect heightened Coast Guard security measures as a result of the Department of Homeland Security orange threat level.
The Clallam Transit System made “a few relatively minor but significant changes,” according to Terry Weed, general manager.
For example, bus drivers were reminded to be aware of suspicious vehicles, passengers and packages.
They also were ordered to inspect their buses during layovers after all passengers have exited the vehicles.
Clallam Transit has a fleet of 47 vehicles.
Access to the Clallam Transit headquarters at 830 W. Lauridsen Blvd. was also restricted to a single entrance.
“It’s a little more control,” Weed said.
“We’re asking visitors to go in through a single checkpoint.”
Jefferson Transit general manager Dave Turissini said the agency that provides bus transportation throughout Jefferson County has “taken enhanced precautions” under Federal Transportation Administration policies already in effect.
“We don’t hear from some agency in Washington, D.C.,” he said Thursday, adding that the federal policy gives Jefferson Transit measures it can take in times of heightened homeland security alerts.
Although he declined to go into detail about the special measures taken, citing security reasons, Turissini said security had tightened at the agency’s offices on West Sims Way in Port Townsend.
“It’s now harder to get into our office,” he said.