SECURITY

Since July 1, 2004 Beaver Island Boat Company has been operating under the new  guidelines of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA).  The MTSA, enacted on November 25, 2002, is designed to protect the nation’s ports and waterways from a terrorist attack.  It requires vessels and port facilities to conduct vulnerability assessments and develop security plans that can include screening procedures for passengers, vehicles and baggage; security patrols; establishing restricted areas; personnel identification procedures; access control measures; and the installation of surveillance equipment. Our compliance plan was reviewed and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.  Local U.S. Coast Guard units enforce these guidelines by conducting visits of ferry terminals and vessels to ensure the approved security measures have been properly implemented.

If you have recently been a passenger on board our ferry, you may have noticed the U.S. Coast Guard escorting the vessel with a patrol boat to and from Beaver Island.   Additionally, since the London Bombings (July 7, 2005) we have had U.S. Coast Guard armed personnel riding on-board the ferry.  This is a result of the Department of Homeland Security raising the threat level from yellow to orange for mass transit systems.  In response, the United States Coast Guard has heightened security measures affecting the Beaver Island Boat Company ferry service.   This is also the reason for screening all carry-on baggage and limiting the carry-on baggage allowed, to one carry-on per person.

If you have not visited our facilities recently, you can expect to see fencing around the facilities, increased signage identifying restricted areas and warning that all vehicles, packages, boxes, luggage and personal effects, freight and persons entering our property and vessels are subject to search.

The above is a condition of entry and is necessary to assure that dangerous substances and devices that pose a real danger of violence or threat to security are not present.

We will no longer ship items that are left unattended on our docks and that are not properly received by our employees.  All cargo must be identified with the name of the shipper and receiver and all luggage must be marked with the name, address and telephone number of the owner.  Once your baggage is checked in, it will be placed in a secure area, as required by law, and you will not be able to access it again until you reach your destination.

We also ask for your help:  Anyone observing suspicious activity is simply asked to note details and report suspicious persons, objects or activities to a crewmember.  Examples of suspicious activities would include:

• Unusual photography of ferry operations
• People displaying heightened interest in secure areas onboard the ferries.
• People critically observing ferry operations while taking notes or making computer entries.
• Customers leaving large packages or personal items unattended.

While we realize these new guidelines may be an inconvenience to some of our passengers, it is a necessity to follow them closely in an effort to ensure the continued safety of our passengers, personnel and property. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we implement these measures.