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One man is in custody after allegedly stealing the Victoria Clipper ferry from the Seattle waterfront Sunday, according to police.

Seattle police said the unoccupied ferry, which travels back-and-forth to Victoria, B.C., was discovered floating adrift nearly 300 metres from Pier 69 in Elliott Bay.

Authorities initially thought the ferry was adrift, but when a tugboat was sent to retrieve it, they discovered a man on board.

Police, the Coast Guard, a SWAT team, bomb squad and helicopter teams were called in to respond.

Police said negotiators contacted the man shortly before a tactical team boarded the vessel and arrested him.

Officers are in contact with the man on the Victoria Clipper and are still working to resolve the situation. — Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) December 1, 2013

The man told police he was planning to take the ferry to West Seattle.

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Police said the man will likely be charged with piracy or grand theft vessel.

The boat was towed back to port.

Officials are still investigating how the man managed to commandeer the ship.