PORT TOWNSEND — The auto ferry Klickitat struck a rock and began taking on water. What do the passengers do?
A group of 55 people learned the answer as they evacuated the Washington State ferry during an emergency preparedness drill Monday.
The volunteer passengers exited down an emergency slide into a waiting inflatable boat in the foggy early morning hours. Several acted out roles as injured passengers. One man feigned a heart attack. Another portrayed a sight-impaired person, complete with seeing-eye dog, albeit a stuffed one, and a third person pretended to have a broken leg.
Ferry officials will analyze the drill to determine whether existing policies and procedures need to be modified. Initial evaluations from participants and a ferry system spokesperson were positive.
“We haven’t ‘hotwashed’ it yet, but communications were a problem — our ability to communicate with the (Port Townsend) fire department and other rescue agencies, also our ability to communicate with our customers.,” said ferry spokesperson Susan Harris.”
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