| In 2003, a ferry in New York City struck | | | | are controversial in some areas, |
| a pier in Staten Island, killing eleven | | | | especially in ferry systems already |
| and injuring more than seventy. In | | | | crowded, where the additional security |
| 2005, a ferry in British Columbia missed | | | | is seen as a hassle and time-suck. In |
| the dock and crashed into small boats in | | | | the past few years, the US Coast Guard |
| the marina. And more recently, a ferry | | | | has struggled with balancing the demands |
| in the Red Sea sank, claiming the lives | | | | for both safety and time and staff |
| of over one thousand passengers. Just a | | | | efficiency. The new anti-terrorism |
| few days previous to that disaster, a | | | | regulations will have the highest impact |
| ferry in Indonesia sank, killing dozens. | | | | on large US and European ferry systems. |
| All of these tragedies beg the | | | | While the new regulations represent a |
| question: how safe are ferries? | | | | hassle in developed countries, ferry |
| Ferries are popular with tourists, | | | | regulation in developing nations would |
| considering them a scenic break from | | | | be a welcome relief. Ferry systems in |
| crowded highways, but should you entrust | | | | developing nations suffer continually |
| yourself and your family to a ferry? | | | | from problems such as understaffing, |
| Ferries in developed countries are, | | | | severe overcrowding, aging vessels, and |
| relatively speaking, safe - in fact, in | | | | a lack of regulatory standards. As a |
| the US traveling by ferry is far safer | | | | result, it is not unusual to see repeat |
| than traveling by car. In the US, | | | | accidents in the same rivers and ports, |
| ferries operate in forty States, and in | | | | with the same ferry operators. The two |
| 2002 ridership exceeded one million in | | | | worst places to catch a ferry are |
| several large US cities (including | | | | Somalia and Bangladesh, where ferry |
| Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, | | | | accidents are routine. In Bangladesh, |
| and Boston). Seattle, which has the | | | | roughly 1,000 people die in ferry |
| largest US ferry system, sees | | | | accidents every year. The International |
| approximately 26 million passengers each | | | | Maritime Organization (IMO) has begun a |
| year. All the ferries all operate under | | | | ten-year plan to reduce the number of |
| specific procedures and safety standards | | | | ferry fatalities, but when this will |
| laid out by state and federal | | | | realistically begin to have an effect on |
| authorities, some of which have been | | | | the ferry systems of developing nations |
| updated since the 2003 crash in New | | | | remains a question. |
| York. | | | | In summary, if you are considering |
| But ferries in Europe and the US have a | | | | traveling by ferry as part of your |
| new burden to consider, as well: | | | | upcoming vacation, you would do well to |
| terrorism. Since September 11, all | | | | consider where your travel will be: In |
| modes of mass transit are coming under | | | | the US, Canada, and Europe, you can take |
| intense scrutiny by governmental | | | | comfort on the fact that you are safer |
| organizations, and this includes | | | | in a ferry than you are in a car and |
| ferries. Often times operating with the | | | | even some planes. But if you are |
| same number of staff, ferries are being | | | | traveling in a developing nation, either |
| required to check and re-check both | | | | do your homework carefully, or stay away |
| passengers and their vehicles for | | | | from the ferry systems altogether. |
| anything suspicious. These new tasks | | | | |