U.S.-to-Canada ferry Victoria Clipper IV has been returned safely to its port in Seattle, Clipper Vacations reports.
The ferry was stolen from Pier 69 in Seattle the morning of December 1 and began drifting in Elliott Bay, the Associated Press reports. A SWAT team arrested Samuel Kenneth McDonough seven hours after the ship had been stolen. The incident has prompted Clipper Vacations and port officials to review their security policies.
"We were very, very fortunate this individual did not run into a state ferry or grain ship out by the grain terminal," Clipper Vacations CEO Darrell Bryan told the AP. "It was a hell of a wake-up call."
In a statement Clipper Vacations said that the company is moving to tighten security arrangements at the port. Razor wire has been added to the fencing, and a security review meeting was held the morning of December 2. Additionally, Clipper Vacations has requested outside classification organization Det Norske Veritas conduct an outside review and audit of security at the port.
Bryan thanked the First Responders who assisted in McDonough's capture and the return of the vessel.
“As unfortunate as the situation was, it was a positive experience to see how all of the services worked together so seamlessly”, said Bryan.
The vessel was returned with only minor damage and will be available for resumption of daily scheduled service between Seattle and Victoria, B.C.
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