/Port Angeles WA USA /Victoria BC Canada Ferry Crossing
Posted by: 
arby101ca
N 48° 15.160 W 123° 24.065
10U E 470227 N 5344461
Black Ball Ferry Line operates the MV Coho between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC, crossing the border half way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, part of the Salish Sea
Waymark Code: WMF00A
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 07/30/2012
Views: 14
This waymark describes the border crossing, a connection between Hwy 1, the Trans-Canada, with Hwy 101, the pacific Coast Highway. The ferry terminals are waymarked separately. The Coho has operated for over 50 years. It is the last remaining asset of the transportation company that started in trans-Atlantic shipping as the Black Ball Line in 1816. They still fly the Black Ball flag.
Our crossing was interesting because of the weather, sunny and clear at both terminals but quite rough and foggy half way across. A lookout was posted at the bow of the ship and the bow deck cleared of passengers. The ships fog horn blew every minute or so. The crossing takes about 90 minutes and departs at a 4 hour frequency. There is a snack bar, gift shop and duty free store on board. We use this ferry to go across to Olympic National Park to hike as we can see these snow capped mountains from our home near Victoria. Both harbours are interesting, Port Angeles protected a the long spit, Victoria's busy inner harbour flanked by the Empress Hotel and BC Legislature. The Straits are a busy shipping lane with bulk carriers, container ships, oil tankers, cruise liners and whale tour boats. The Victoria terminal is at 430 Bellville S, N 48° 25.296', W 123° 22.366. Port Angeles is 101 E Railroad St, N
The GPS position is an estimate of the point where the route crosses the border. Practically the border is where passengers pass through immigration and customs. In Canada, this is quite simple a single customs agent in a booth at the Victoria ferry dock, checking documents and asking a few questions. Questionable responses can lead as usual to more rigorous scrutiny.
Homeland Security procedures for the US are more complex. Heading towards the USA, your pre-clear US Immigration with a passport check at the Victoria terminal. Then you pass through the US Customs check at the Port Angeles. Here you are asked a few questions. Just don't bring in any unlabeled apples, Kinder Eggs, drugs or bombs. There is even an inspection by Border Police on the Port Angeles ferry dock for those heading to Canada. These troopers are armed and protected with ballistic jackets as they inspect with a sniffer dog all vehicles waiting to board. RVs and travel trailers are inspected and sniffed inside and out. Inspection of people leaving a country is unusual in my experience. Recently the Border Patrol based in Port Angeles was increased from 4 to 40 people. The result is obvious at the ferry terminal.
Perhaps the tightening of this border crossing is due to the fact that a terrorist was stopped by alert US border athourities attempting to use this border crossing. Ahmed Ressam's car trunk was loaded with bomb material to be used to blow up LAX airport on the Millennium.
Type Of Crossing: Country
Where is the border located?: Water/Ferry
Welcome Center/Facilities: Yes
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