SWAT team called for ferry joyrider

A SWAT team surrounded a Seattle man after he stole a 123ft passenger ferry

A man from Seattle was arrested on Saturday (30 November) after he allegedly stole a 123ft passenger ferry and took the vessel for a joyride.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle Police and a SWAT team surrounded the ferry after the authorities received a call about a suspicious person early on Sunday.

A bomb squad was also called to the scene, according to a tweet sent out by the Seattle Police Department.

The vessel, which shuttles up to 330 passengers between the U.S. and Canada, was initially thought to be adrift on its own near the city.

Seattle PD spokesman Sean Whitcomb told KING5: “When we have a call that’s pretty unique like this, a major passenger boat that’s somehow adrift in the water, we want to make sure that we bring in all the resources that we have available to us to ensure that the incident comes to a quick and peaceful resolution.”

It’s not yet known how the man was able to commandeer such a large boat and the Police said that he told them he intended to take it to West Seattle.

“The suspect will be booked into the King County Jail for yet-to-be-determined charges (piracy or grand theft vessel) and the boat will be towed back to port,” said a statement from the Seattle police.