The Washington State Patrol conducted a multi-agency response drill aboard the Washington State Ferries vessel Hyak to test response capabilities Feb. 10. Starting at 8 a.m., the WSP responded to planned emergency response onboard the ferry boat which was located in the waters off Bainbridge Island.

WSP troopers, along with uniformed officers from the Bainbridge Island Police Department, the Seattle Police Department and members of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Border Patrol, took part in the four-hour drill. The purpose of the drill was to test multi-agency response coordination for potential critical incidents on a ferry boat. Approximately 50 personnel participated in the drill. The Hyak was out-of-service during the drill. No passengers were onboard the ferry during the exercise. Regular ferry traffic was not impacted during the operation. The drill was successful in preparing agencies for future emergency responses.