SSA Launches Plan to Tighten Security

By JULIA WELLS

The Steamship Authority will spend about $200,000 this summer to
boost security on ferries and at boat line terminals on the Cape and
Islands.

Senior managers at the SSA said this week that they are trying to
incorporate a new awareness about safety and security into operations at
the public boat line, although it is still unclear how much can be done
that is meaningful - and also legal.

SSA chief executive officer Fred C. Raskin and director of
operations James Swindler both said this week that state police are now
stationed at all six terminals for 12 hours a day. Two weeks ago,
terminal employees went through a four-hour training session on security
and awareness. Another session will be held in the near future for
vessel employees, including pilots, captains and pursers.

Mr. Swindler said the training took place over four days and
involved about 225 employees. Coast Guard port security officers
assisted with the training.

"We think that it is kind of key to make sure that the people
who work for us at our terminals and on our vessels are aware of what is
going on - they are the eyes and ears," he said.

"We're still learning, but everyone is watchful,"
said Mr. Raskin. "It's little steps, little feet, but
we'll get there and get better at it.

"I'm still trying to understand what the nature of a
terrorist attack on a Steamship Authority ferry would be," he
added.

Mr. Raskin and Mr. Swindler said state troopers will not perform
random searches in the trunks of cars, because of possible legal issues
associated with such searches.

Random car searches were being conducted in the Washington state
ferry system, but the searches were recently suspended after they were
challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union.

"It's all a little unclear right now, so the state
police do not want to get involved in that," Mr. Raskin said.

What is clear is the cost to the boat line.

Mr. Raskin said the SSA is paying some $34 an hour - about
$2,300 a day - to the state police for coverage, which is now in
effect seven days a week, and will continue that way through the peak
summer months. At the current rates, the cost could easily amount to
$200,000 or more, he said.

"It's not insignificant," he said. The SSA
recently was awarded $8,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation
to improve security at the Hyannis terminal, but Mr. Raskin said that
money will be a drop in the bucket.

What does the boat line get for the money it spends on security?

"It's a good question. We may be getting very little,
but it's better than nothing," said Mr. Raskin.
"It's mostly visual," he added.

He said the boat line may decide at some point in the future to
switch from the state police to private detectives. "If we decide
to do random searches we may ultimately have to move to private
detectives so we can feel less encumbered," he said

Mr. Swindler said the SSA is also considering using boat line
employees wearing customer service jerseys to conduct random searches.
"We're going to test it a little bit in the next couple of
weeks - this is more to send a message that we are looking, and of
course it has to be purely random," he said.

Mr. Swindler and Mr. Raskin both recounted an incident that took
place in Woods Hole last week when a man was seen looking at the freight
ferry Sankaty for a long time. Mr. Swindler said the man left the
terminal area and then returned and appeared to be doing some kind of
"surveillance" on the Sankaty.

The man was questioned by boat line employees, and it turned out
that he was simply a passenger who was milling around waiting for the
boat.

Mr. Swindler said the customer who was questioned had a mixed
reaction.

"In one way he was offended, and in another way he was
complimented," Mr. Swindler said.

Mr. Swindler said the boat line is also exploring the possibility of
using canines trained to sniff explosives.

"It's a time-consuming subject, and it's also an
interesting one," he said.

He also said: "We have no reason to believe at all right now
there is any threat, but we do believe that this is important."