Mark Dale sent the photo from Gatewood. He’s one of several people who asked about that sighting this morning – U.S. Coast Guard “response” boats escorting a Fauntleroy-bound ferry. We checked with USCG District 13 public affairs – no incidents, no threats, they told us. So apparently just training.
This has been going on for months/weeks on the Bainbridge ferry route.
It’s certainly not the first time. (We have a discussion in the WSB Community Forums dating back to 2008!) But whenever several people ask about something, it’s a sign it’s attracted significant notice, so we do our best to check it out – Tracy
The Coast Guard has been randomly escorting the ferries since 9/11…nothing new.
The Coast Guard has been doing this as part of homeland security since 2001/02. They vary the route they “protect” so as to not be predictable.
As a boater, and having met coasties they are GREAT people and us boaters do appreciate them! But I must add that these escort’s are just for show. There have been no credible threats against shipping since 9/11. Several threats every year are received. ALL of them are investigated. 100% are from people drunk/high, mentally off or pranksters. A big cost to us taxpayer’s.
I was on one of the escorted boats and they played a special message saying the boat would be escorted and that there was no threat or concerns.
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