It’s good news for people who depend on the Washington State ferries for transportation.

Ferry riders won’t be delayed by the airport-style security searches according to the new federal Maritime Security Rules. The news was announced last week by Tom Ridge, Homeland Defense secretary. The new rule will vary according to the national threat level based on the Coast Guard’s alert system.

The new system outlined by Ridge will mean some passengers will be subjected to searches, but only a fraction of passengers, unless of a high alert.

Officials with Washington State Ferries worried about the cost to implement airport-style metal detectors and inconvenience to travelers.

Coast Guard and government officials began working to increase ferry security following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001

The new system will require some screening and searches, but that will affect only a fraction of passengers unless the national security level is on high alert.

Cost is still an issue for ferries. According to Pat Patterson, public affairs director for ferries, cost for security is expected to be $20 million. The federal government granted $9 million for security, but that leaves the system $11 million short.

The new rules offer guidelines, rather than specifics. Washington State Ferry officials have until Dec. 31 to write their own procedures and until July 1, 2004 to implement them.

The new rules identify three threat levels for ferries. These correspond to the Coast Guard’s security: a low level threat would mean a percentage (the exact percentage will be determined by state ferry officials) of people, bags and vehicles would be screened. A medium level threat would increase that number, limit waterside access to ferries and may include boat patrols. A high level would mean everyone would be screened and there would be armed guards aboard ferries.

Washington has the nation’s largest ferry system, carrying 26 million passengers each year.