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