The Maritime Safety and Security Team of the United States Coast Guard was aboard the ferries between the islands in mid-February, alarming some passengers with their unexpected and armed presence. With heightened concerns around Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, some citizens were concerned about who the agents were.

The Coast Guard team was MSST 91101, based out of Seattle. MSST 91101 consists of 71 active duty personnel, 33 reserve personnel, and an annual budget of 1.2 million. As ferry passengers saw, they also have a K9 unit, which was the unit that conducted the ride along.

Not to worry, PAC Ayla Hudson of USCG District 13, assured the Journal in an interview. It was routine.

“Yes, members of our Maritime Safety and Security Team were aboard the San Juan ferries this weekend,” she said on Feb. 17. “There was no training exercise, it’s part of our routine mission of protecting high-interest vessels in the Puget Sound. They are more frequently seen on the Seattle ferries, but we do random ride-alongs and escorts with WSF and others.”

MSSTs are domestic units that possess specialized training around port safety and security operations, according to the Coast Guard website. They enforce moving and fixed security zones as well as protect commercial high-interest vessels, U.S. Navy high-value assets, and waterside critical infrastructure.

Although WSF has recently cracked down on its pet policy, captains may have trouble trespassing Coast Guard personnel for dogs on the passenger decks.