You make excellent points. My earlier point was that Federal Maritime Regulations as enforced by the Coast Guard do not trump the US Constitution. As to how much power the Feds have to trump State Constitutions, in practice infinite, as originally designed in the Republic Period - few. Ref. 9th and 10th ammendment. The delegated powers include:
lay and collect taxes, duties, imports and excises
pay debts of the federal gov
borrow money on credit
regulate commerce with foreign nations, among states and with Indian Tribes
establish rules of naturalization
establish rules of bankruptcy
coin money
establish post offices
copyright laws
set up federal courts
define and punish piracy on the high seas
declare war
issue letters of marque
to raise armies
to provide a navy
call forth the militia
to rule D.C.
Which of those gives them the right to search ferries?
BTW: I agree it is a common sense thing to do, just that it's another poorly arrived at decision.
Which of those gives them the right to search ferries? 14USC89 gave the USCG broad authority to conduct inspections.
Been that way well before Lewis & Clark first set foot upon that wilderness which later becomes Washington state.