The CEO of a Seattle based fast ferry company went down to his dock to check that all his ferries were o.k. during a spell of bad weather recently.
Imagine his surprise when he saw one of his ferries going round in circles off the dock, with its engine running.
After the Coastguard had boarded the ferry in full combat gear being worried about a terrorist threat, they found a drunken homeless man who was a registered sex offender had walked through the ports perimeter fence, boarded the ferry, found the key to start the engine, started it, cast off all but one mooring and then driven the ferry off its berth, ripping the remaining moorings cleat from the deck of the ferry. unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) that was as far as he got as despite being able to find the engine start key and starting the engine , he had no idea how to steer the thing.
On being arrested he told Coastguards that no one had challenged him as he walked into the port, no-one was on the dock, the ignition key was not in the slot but was hanging up in full view so he decided to take the ferry himself as he wanted to get to the other side of the harbour.
Now remember
This is the country that not too long ago threw a seafarer into jail because he dared to step off the gangway, walk 20 feet to a phone booth and start making a call home to his family whom he had not seen for 4 months, because the ship had not been cleared by the Homeland Security dept under the ISPS auspice's.
It could only happen in the USA
rgds
JA