Video: Anonymous call sparks massive ferry search

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Ferry threat tangles Seattle traffic

BREMERTON, Wash. – Ferry sailings between Seattle and Bremerton won't get back to normal until Wednesday after a telephone threat forced a ferry to turn around and return to Bremerton Tuesday.

Ferry service will continue Tuesday on a modified schedule, but the threat was enough to delay several sailings and back up ferry passengers.

Sources tell KING 5 News the call was made at about 12:30 p.m. from a pay phone at a nearby 7-Eleven. The caller indicated hearing two males talking about a threat on the next ferry leaving the Bremerton terminal, which was the Hyak.

The state patrol immediately turned the ferry around and closed roads in the area. The boat was searched and finally cleared after 3 p.m.

"Every vehicle that was going on the vessel for the sailing was 100 percent screened with the explosive detection K-9’s. Nothing was found," said Sgt. Craig Johnson, Washington State Patrol.

Investigators dusted for fingerprints at the 7-Eleven and confiscated the store’s surveillance video.

"It’s a shocker to all of us. This is something that’s never been done before here that I know of," said 7-Eleven manager Kori Gray.

The Department of Homeland Security has joined the investigation.

"We do not have credible information about an imminent threat to the homeland at this time, but as always we remind the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to authorities,” said Russ Knocke, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson.

Security was also increased at the Seattle terminal, where bomb sniffing dogs were checking cars waiting to get on the ferry.

Ferry passengers were upset that one phone call could put their commute in a tailspin.

"Sick person. Definitely. Definitely sick. That’s crazy,” said passenger Al Medina, who was stuck waiting in Seattle. This is the second time in a year he’s had to re-route his plans. “It’s really ironic that both times I come to use the ferry, it’s happened twice."

The threat was originally described as terrorist, but the state patrol is now characterizing it as a "threat to do harm." As of early Tuesday evening, investigators say they do not know if it was a hoax or if the caller was reporting what he thought was a legitimate threat.

The Bremerton ferry terminal was closed while the ferry Hyak was there. The 12:45 p.m. run from Seattle to Bremerton was redirected to Bainbridge Island and the 3 p.m. sailing was delayed. The 12:35 p.m. and 3 p.m. sailings from Bremerton were cancelled.

KING 5's Eric Wilkinson and Eric Schudiske contributed to this report.