An Inter-Island Ferry Authority vessel was held at a Ketchikan dock in Southeast Alaska last week after an employee at another ferry terminal reported a suspicious device in a trash can that turned out to be a novelty clock, Alaska State Troopers reported.
Troopers received a call around 2:30 p.m. Thursday from an employee at the Inter-Island Ferry terminal in Hollis on Prince of Wales Island who saw what they believed to be a possible explosive device in a trash can, the agency reported in an online dispatch.
Authorities were able to obtain a photo of the device, which was sent to explosive experts with the FBI.
"...it was decided that there was a high likelihood that it was real," troopers said.
The threat forced the evacuation of the ferry terminal, shut down vehicle and foot traffic in the area, delayed the ferry and prompted air traffic to be rerouted, according to troopers.
More than three hours after the discovery, troopers found the person who put the item into the trash can, using video surveillance footage. Further investigation revealed the item was a "novelty alarm clock" that had been tossed in the trash after it was broken, troopers said.
"There appears to have been no malicious intent and no further action is being taken," troopers said.