In recent weeks, passengers and crew on board Washington state ferries have seen two men exhibit unusual behavior that has raised security concerns for local law enforcement. On several occasions, passengers and crewmembers witnessed the two thoroughly observing the shipboard systems, the workers and its layout as opposed to the surrounding landscape. The suspicious activity has raised concerns for law enforcement, as the two men have reportedly exhibited the same behavior on multiple ferry runs over the past four to six weeks.
To rule out any chance that the two men may just be enthusiastic architectural students, the FBI is conducting an investigation into the strange behavior. The Seattle office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released photographs of the two individuals and has called on the public to help aid in identifying the two men.
The unusual behavior reinforces that maritime vessels may be potentially vulnerable and could be targeted by terrorists in the near-term.
Activities Raising Suspicion
Passengers on board the Washington State Ferries first reported suspicious activity exhibited by the two men more than a few weeks ago. According to vigilant passengers, the two men appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent. Allegedly the two observed and photographed doorways, members of the crew, the ships’ dimensions and the procedures for docking. A ferry employee was then ordered to photograph the two men. Ferry workers and officers were then shown the photographs and were directed to notify the captain and local authorities if any future passengers closely resembled the men in the photographs.
After recently deciding to publicly release the photographs, the Seattle FBI and Washington Joint Analytical Center (WAJAC) have now called on the public to provide any known information that could lead to the identities of the two men. Since the release of the photographs, more than 100 phone calls have been made to WAJAC as they prepare to investigate each possible lead. Although the FBI has stated that the suspicious behavior could be completely harmless, a proactive approach is a crucial step that could help undermine possible terrorist activity.
A Likely Target
For WAJAC and the Seattle FBI, the Washington State Ferry system represents a likely target for terrorist plots. With the system’s 20 terminals running 10 routes to eight countries, the Washington State Ferry system’s port security, ships and passengers are all vulnerable. In 2006 alone, 24 million passengers and 10 million motor vehicles traveled on the system’s 28 ferries (Source). A passenger list of this magnitude could seriously hinder identification tracking efforts.
In 2006, a US Justice Department inspector general determined that the Washington State Ferries system was the number one most likely target for maritime terrorism (Source). If a terrorist were to complete a successful hijacking of one of the large ferries that can hold up to 2,500 passengers, the ferry could be used to crash into a highly sensitive area. For example, the ferries could be used to target the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, a naval hub that overhauls nuclear aircraft carriers and Trident nuclear submarines (Source). Additionally, natural gas terminals and refineries that are sometimes found in close proximity to ports could also serve as a primary target for hijacking terrorists. Going beyond the infliction of mass human casualties and destruction, the ensuing effects of an attack on a large port could additionally temporarily ravage much of region’s local economy tied to the port’s flow of imports and exports.
Enhanced Security, Vigilant Passengers Reduce Threats
Local Muslim groups have criticized the FBI move to release the photograph of the two suspects, citing that many men perceived to be of Middle Eastern descent on board the ferries have been questioned for hours by the FBI. However, with the Washington State Ferries ranked as the number one target for maritime terrorism, a proactive approach is necessary to preserve the safety of the passengers, crew and surrounding physical sites. The passengers’ vigilant behavior could indeed have identified and possibly helped reduce a very serious threat. Regardless of the two men’s intentions, the incidents of unusual behavior are likely to highlight the need for greater maritime security efforts as terrorists could continue to conduct practice rounds to inspect possible targets.
