Can you refuse a TSA search at a "VIPR" checkpoint outside of an airport environment (ferry, bus, train, etc)? If you do refuse, does TSA have the authority to deny boarding as a result of refusing to be searched? I'm specifically concered about a ferry terminal environment. I live in the St. John US Virgin Islands and periodically TSA does VIPR checkpoints at the ferry terminal on St. Thomas for the St. Thomas-St. John ferries. The ferry is the ONLY method of public transportation between the 2 islands. If I go to St. Thomas to shop do I have to go through TSA patdowns and bag searches as a condition to board a ferry to return home? If I refuse to be searched (and have my rights violated) can I be refused boarding and thus unable to return to my home?