A "suspicious package" was found at the height of the Wednesday morning commute on one of the largest ferries in the Washington state fleet, idling the vessel for about an hour. The 460-foot Puyallup had just been emptied of cars and passengers after arriving at Colman Dock from Bainbridge Island about 8 a.m. when a crew member found the package behind the toilet in the men's restroom, said Marta Coursey, a spokeswoman for the ferry system. After a search and examination by State Patrol troopers, the 2,500-passenger, 202-vehicle ferry was cleared to resume service.

Patrol Sgt. Craig H. Johnson would not disclose details about the object trooper carried off the ferry but said investigators determined it did not pose an immediate threat. Still, he said, "We'd like to find the person who left it there."

The scare came amid heightened security in the ferry system following reports of "suspicious behavior" in recent weeks. On Monday the FBI released photographs of two men who were described as showing unusual interest in the vessels, Agent Roberta A. Burroughs said. Agents have been unable to identify them, but they say neither man is considered a suspect in a crime.

"We admit right up front that the behavior could be completely innocuous," Burroughs said.