Mystery VIP rides ferry to Seattle from Bainbridge Island
By RICHARD D. OXLEY
Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer
October 2, 2012 · 3:40 PM
Spoiler alert: It wasn't First Lady Michelle Obama.
Commuters on the 7:05 a.m. Tuesday ferry from Bainbridge Island to Seattle struggled without success to get a glimpse of the person or persons surrounded by a massive security escort on the boat.
The mystery passenger or passengers were protected by a security detail that included approximately a dozen black SUVs, which received priority loading, and onlookers said police officers swarmed across the vessel before its departure.
"There were several government agents on the boat with ear pieces that we could see," said islander Dylan Lehotsky, who was on the ferry.
"There were one or two police officers mounted at every entrance to the boat," he said.
In addition to the security on the vessel, two police boats equipped with machine guns escorted the ferry during its trip across the Puget Sound.
Ferry riders quickly began speculating that the important passenger was Michelle Obama, who is scheduled to attend a sold-out fundraiser for the president's campaign Tuesday evening at the Westin Seattle Hotel.
Bainbridge Island Police Commander Sue Shultz would not comment on the mystery ferry rider, citing security reasons.
She did say, however, that the first lady was not on the boat.
Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.Comment on this story.
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