Ferry passenger gets mad over mask, clashes with crew members on sailing to Fauntleroy

| Coronavirus | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Kitsap at Fauntleroy dock while investigation continued)

Thanks for the tips. A longer-than-usual wait for outgoing and incoming ferry passengers at Fauntleroy this hour wasn’t because of the sailing cancellations reported earlier – it was because of an investigation. We’ve just talked to spokespersons for both Washington State Ferries and Washington State Patrol, which has jurisdiction on ferries, since they are part of the state highway system. WSP says that on board M/V Kitsap, as it sailed to Fauntleroy, a man in his 50s “was asked to put on a mask (but) refused and became aggressive toward ferry personnel. The subject had been drinking as well. There was a concern based on the aggressive behavior that an assault could take place.” So the boat was held while WSP was called. Troopers determined no assault had taken place, and that the man was a passenger in a car, not a driver, so there was no DUI concern; eventually he was given a trespass writeup requiring him to stay off WSF property for 60 days. The Kitsap has since unloaded that sailing and loaded a new one that arrived at Vashon about 10 minutes ago.

StopCuttingDownTrees September 11, 2021 (10:16 pm)

Only 60 days? He should’ve gotten at LEAST a one-year trespass.

CAM September 12, 2021 (6:16 am)

Someone may correct me but the first trespass, without some kind of extenuating circumstance or prior violation, is shorter. If he violates it or gets another one it can be longer.
heartless September 12, 2021 (7:18 am)

Agreed. Drunk, aggressive… could have turned out a lot worse, the 60 day trespass seems very lenient.
AMD September 12, 2021 (7:54 am)

A day for every person whose trip was held up over his childish behavior?
- Cathie September 13, 2021 (11:11 am)
  
  I agree! I was on the other side, at Southworth and we had already waited through the 2 cancelled sailings. Personal freedom? I think not. When you live in a democracy, you agree to the social contract. After arriving for a 6:30p departure, we set sail after 10p and got home after 11p–and we live just a few miles from the ferry terminal. (We were not able to drive around.)WSF staff at Southworth handled the situation with kindness and aplomb; giving out refund info cards, the latest info they had and helping people get their cars out of line to drive around.
  - Robyn September 13, 2021 (3:34 pm)
    
    We are a constitutional Republic .
    - Max Slade September 14, 2021 (3:31 pm)
      
      “I often hear people argue that the United States is a republic, not a democracy. But that’s a false dichotomy. A common definition of “republic” is, to quote the American Heritage Dictionary, “A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them” — we are that. A common definition of “democracy” is, “Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives” — we are that, too.The United States is not a direct democracy, in the sense of a country in which laws (and other government decisions) are made predominantly by majority vote. Some lawmaking is done this way, on the state and local levels, but it’s only a tiny fraction of all lawmaking. But we are a representative democracy, which is a form of democracy.And indeed the American form of government has been called a “democracy” by leading American statesmen and legal commentators from the Framing on. It’s true that some Framing-era commentators made arguments that distinguished “democracy” and “republic”; see, for instance, The Federalist (No. 10), though even that first draws the distinction between “pure democracy” and a “republic,” only later just saying “democracy.” But even in that era, “representative democracy” was understood as a form of democracy, alongside “pure democracy”: John Adams used the term “representative democracy” in 1794; so did Noah Webster in 1785; so did St. George Tucker in his 1803 edition of Blackstone; so did Thomas Jefferson in 1815. Tucker’s Blackstone likewise uses “democracy” to describe a representative democracy, even when the qualifier “representative” is omitted.”Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/05/13/is-the-united-states-of-america-a-republic-or-a-democracy/
    - Derek Flanary September 18, 2021 (7:55 pm)
      
      Democrats say democracy, republicans say republic. You can go on about why you’re right all day but it’s still just an opinion, won’t change others opinions. Not sure how people can be so ignorant of their opposition.
major_sigh September 12, 2021 (8:20 am)

Agreed. Especially since he became “aggressive.” Don’t think he would have gotten off so easy if this were on a flight.
bill September 12, 2021 (10:47 pm)

He got off at Fauntleroy? Too bad he wasn’t put off on Vashon and banned from ferries for 60 days!

Jeannie September 12, 2021 (2:09 am)

What a mask-hole! And drunk, too. Classy. Wear a damn mask, schmuck!

Rick September 12, 2021 (4:54 am)

Gollee. I miss commuting on that run for 15 years. I’d guess the offender was from Vashon. They have a different attitude.

Terry September 12, 2021 (6:11 am)

He was just making West Seattle great again…

Karen September 12, 2021 (6:46 am)

How about banned from ferry service FOREVER…. Besides the obvious bad behavior, held up schedules for ferry riders and crew. Some people actually have jobs and families that are depending on them‼️

Bob Bitchen September 12, 2021 (6:53 am)

“ that the man was a passenger in a car, not a driver, so there was no DUI concern” Why not arrest him for for drunk in public? Happened to me once when I was a passenger in a car. The driver got pulled over for DUI and one of the cops told me to step out and as soon as I did he arrested me. But that was in Texas.

major_sigh September 12, 2021 (1:30 pm)

Yeah, we are pretty lax here about public enebriation. You can be high, drunk, whatever, doesn’t seem to matter. I saw a guy passed out on California, middle of day with a case of beer next to him. I wish we didn’t allow such things. But in this ferry case the guy was agrressive. And gers away with it. That’s what surprises me.

John September 12, 2021 (7:09 am)

This took 3 hours to clear and that a–hole just got tresspassed? He should be banned, so no one has to deal with his behavior again.Dozens of cars just sitting there from 6 till 10, and he comes out of the boat on his phone LAUGHING because nothing is going to happen. The tall skinny blonde guy in shorts was apparently the reason this all happened. He better hope he isn’t recognized around town.

Justme September 12, 2021 (7:39 am)

When are these people going to learn, they’re only making themselves look like fools.

wendell September 12, 2021 (8:25 am)

You’d think he’d be out of diapers by the time he reached 50.

22blades September 12, 2021 (1:51 pm)

⭐️⭐️⭐️

zooka monkey September 12, 2021 (9:59 am)

if you want to drink or be drunk in public you should be required to have a license. same as guns or driving, just as dangerous.

Rhonda September 12, 2021 (12:56 pm)

You don’t need a license to open-carry a gun in public. Drunks are FAR more dangerous than gun owners and licensed drivers. This clown should have been arrested for assaulting a ferry crewmember. There are signs warning of the State RCW against threatening ferry workers on each boat.

Jort September 12, 2021 (10:42 am)

You will the mask and you will deal with it. Note how one man-child can inconvenience hundreds of others just because he has warped the notion of “freedom” into “I get what I WANT, and screw everybody else.” Put on your mask, sit down and shut up.

Manuela McGee September 12, 2021 (11:09 am)

Don’t want to wear mask? Then drive your butt around or swim. Why do these people always want to take advantage of everything, but never follow rules to earn them?

aa September 12, 2021 (11:42 am)

At first I think, he should know the rules, if he doesn’t want to comply then don’t get on the boat. Then I think, how is this different than any other behavior that endangers others that many people do. Holding your phone when driving, racing through red lights, driving while drunk. How do we find our way back to caring about the wellbeing of others? Caring and being thoughtful in our actions in spite of our views or the political views of others.

22blades September 12, 2021 (1:55 pm)

I missed a connecting flight home because of a Covidiot. Arguing with a Crewmember or Law Enforcement is never a winning hand. Unfortunately, everyone pays though.

Sam September 12, 2021 (2:08 pm)

How about No Mandates!!!

Ivan Weiss September 12, 2021 (5:05 pm)

I have news for you Sam. The virus doesn’t care whether you like mandates or not. If it can get you, it will. Have a nice day, and bless your heart.
ziggy September 12, 2021 (11:44 pm)

How about not holding up my ride home. Idiot. I was there; we should have egged his car as he was driving out. 60 day ban wasn’t stiff enough to be a martyr.

held up September 12, 2021 (6:45 pm)

There was concern based on aggressive behavior that an assault might take place…

Definitely not okay for anyone to direct aggressiveness or threatening behavior towards ferry workers or anyone, especially regarding wearing a mask during a pandemic. So frustrating. But, might there have been an overaction and exaggeration in the reporting to the police, which then caused hours of ferry disruption? Sounds like a passenger in a car just got attitude with staff regarding being told to wear a mask. What exactly happened that made them fear an assault would happen? Were there direct or implied verbal or physical threats? Any further details?

Business owner September 12, 2021 (9:36 pm)

Though I am NOT condoning this gentleman’s behavior, I find it difficult to understand how everyone is so inconvenienced by his behavior… obviously he was inebriated. Yet everyone is OK with the “inebriated” folks that steal from our local businesses… because they “need to eat”? I have had some incredibly high people, walk in my business, demand a cup of coffee, unmasked, and when I ask this person to leave? I have very out-spoken “mask-up” folks who decry my regulars…those that are drinking their beverage, as allowed under Inslee’s order, and utter shameful words to me (because I am asking this person, unmasked, unruly, to leave). So they buy this person a coffee… great, fine, thanks. They should carry extra masks and give it to the person they buy coffee for. The crazy hypocrisy is fascinating. And yes, I have masks to give out (none accepted)… I don’t get this mentality. Man, inebriated, on ferry… won’t wear a mask, causes disruption. Man, seemingly looks homeless and very high, won’t wear a mask in my business… I refuse service, everyone looks at me as someone without compassion, offers to buy him a coffee, shames me… and he still is inebriated and mask less. What gives? Looks to me that they both have substance/mental issues that shouldn’t be downplayed and thus understood… and a social worker will come and remedy the situation… win/win… you get to your ferry on schedule, I get to regulate (without judgement), the kind of people (especially non-paying) that I allow into my establishment. Honestly- I really don’t have any issue with any of this…I am just so tired of judgements, when they are OK to administer, and also when it’s OK… based on “Who” is being inconvenienced. Just food for thought.

bill September 12, 2021 (10:45 pm)

Wow. This is crazy. I’m sorry to hear this happens to you. And your customers don’t back you up? What gives? I can understand you don’t want to identify your business here, but I would certainly patronize your shop.
wscommuter September 13, 2021 (12:04 am)

You ask a fair question.
This September 13, 2021 (8:24 am)

Nuances of situations, circumstances, and of people….

You’re comparing an average ferry passenger who most likely has a home, and of circumstances to be aware of the pandemic and the latest info and mandates etc, whose behavior was so aggressive in response to being asked to wear a mask that a major transportation system was disrupted for hours, to, a homeless person, someone struggling moment to moment for a place to be outside where they won’t be harassed, for their next meal, cup of coffee, use of a bathroom, etc, who by asking for a cup of coffee while not wearing a mask has disturbed/concerned a business owner and his patrons, for just a minute or two?
- Seattle's gotta change September 13, 2021 (8:41 am)
  
  The risk of spreading COVID is the same no matter what the life circumstances of the unmasked person are. It should be no mask, no service, trespass, no matter where, and no matter who. It’s about giving the ferry worker control when they try and enforce a mandate. It’s about giving a business owner control, when try to enforce a mandate. It’s about giving a business owner control over the terms and conditions of entry to their business. If people understand that they will not get service and will be trespassed, 100% of the time, then they will more readily submit to lawful requests of ferry workers and business owners.
  - This September 13, 2021 (9:25 am)
    
    The risk is the same yes. So why the tolerance for patrons sitting indoors at length without a mask, and not for a homeless man without a mask (who likely doesn’t have full awareness or info about the pandemic, let alone what day of the week it is) for a couple minutes who wants something to go?

shotinthefoot September 13, 2021 (10:00 am)

Dude was a drunk passenger in car? If he didn’t want to wear a mask he could have just stayed in the car, but he didn’t because these idiots love the attention. I’d personally trespass him from the ferry system for life, like the No-fly list. Also, can’t wait until he’s named and shamed and loses his job like the rest of these mask-holes.

David September 13, 2021 (12:19 pm)

I was stuck on the Southworth side waiting to go home. Also waiting at the Southworth ferry terminal were about 10 trucks that were heading to Vashon to deal with a power outage on Maury Island. All the workers were standing around, taking radio calls from the people on the scene, explaining there was nothing they could do to to get there faster. I’m disappointed that the person who caused this delay was not arrested, or at least held accountable for the inconveniences he caused to others. I’m not optimistic that “trespassing” someone really works–they’ll keep riding the ferry and no one will notice them. WSP needed to turn into a much worse day for the guy who caused the problem, and at least he should have been booked into jail, strip searched, put in a holding cell with people who might have COVID, and subjected through a criminal prosecution process that cost him tens of thousands of dollars to get out of.

Business owner September 13, 2021 (1:18 pm)

Merely suggesting that these people are “inebriated”… and I am tired of people thinking that “inebriated” people that are homeless somehow get a pass vs. an “inebriated” passenger on a ferry (whom, I’m guessing, paid for a ticket?). I think we are all so exhausted by this. As a business owner that already had to close one, I just want to put everyone’s anger in perspective. And if I get called a Trumper, I will lose it. I am a business owner that is refusing service to a homeless person, without pants (well, falling down and pulled up), drunk and refusing a mask. The difference is… everyone is so angry at an inebriated ferry rider that caused them to be late… and then everyone is mad at me, a business owner, that is turning away an inebriated homeless person that, well, is clearly endangering those in my very enclosed space. Pick a team I guess. Who knows, maybe this “inebriated” ferry rider actually is homeless (was hitching a ride), so does that help ease everyone’s anger? And then will everyone start throwing money at him (whilst shunning the ferry worker who was trying to enforce the mask)? This truly happens in my biz, and other fellow biz establishments. Just trying to put things in perspective.

This September 13, 2021 (6:25 pm)

Thank you for requiring pants-on in your business. Seems totally reasonable ;)

In seriousness, do hear your frustration and the challenges you experience as a business owner around this, but also feel compassion for that homeless man’s experience and situation, and appreciate businesses that can model tolerance, patience, and compassion with homeless patrons.

Scubafrog September 13, 2021 (4:07 pm)

Well you’ve got to 1. prosecute for drinking in the vehicle, and 1. ban the miscreant from all public transportation in WA. The Coast Guard takes aggression very seriously post-9/11, on our ferries. Anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers are very dangerous. We’ve seen what their kind are capable of Jan. 6 2021. They tend towards drugs, alcohol and violence. Sadly, the “dozens of Washington State Patrol troopers” are suing so they don’t have to vaccinate. I guess I’m not surprised.