Bellingham SWAT Training Ends With Surprise Orca Sighting

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham SWAT training took officers onto Bellingham Bay this week for a scenario involving one of the region’s most important transportation systems, a ferry.

Members of the Bellingham Police Department SWAT team worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to train for emergencies aboard ferries and other vessels.

According to the department, the exercise focused on boarding procedures and active shooter response protocols involving local ferries and watercraft.

Officers headed back toward the Coast Guard station, were treated to an unexpected encounter with wildlife as a pod of orcas appeared in Bellingham Bay.

“BPD Officers trained in boarding procedures and active shooter response protocols relating to local ferries and watercraft. While heading back to the Coast Guard station, a pod of orcas made an appearance in Bellingham Bay, and some of our officers got great video!”

Bellingham Police Department

Training on the Water

Bellingham Police released a video explaining the joint exercise gave Bellingham officers an opportunity to practice a response that differs significantly from a typical land-based SWAT operation.

Officers can be seen in the video aboard a vessel, practicing how to board and move through the ship while responding to a potential threat.

For law enforcement, responding to an emergency aboard a ferry or other watercraft presents unique challenges. Officers must navigate confined spaces, multiple decks and the presence of passengers or crew.

The training allowed officers to work through those challenges before facing a real emergency, aboard our aging Washington ferry fleet with an annual ridership surpassing 20 million and unpredictable weather in the Pacific Northwest.

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