Public Records Show ... 80-Year Old Rusting Ferry Boats

The Everett Herald learned details of the condition of 80-year-old (!) ferry boats in the Washington State fleet via public records. Interestingly, the Coast Guard "lost" the Herald's FOIA request. It's a two-part story.

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070722/NEWS01/707220364/0/SPORTS01

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20070723/NEWS01/707230335/0/rss

Is there a public interest in knowing the seaworthiness of vessels on which thousands of people ride?

UPDATE: The Tacoma News-Tribune editorializes on the fact that the State Auditor was denied access to the ferry boats in question.