July 3rd, 2010SS Massachusetts = SS Minnow
The Massachusetts Whale Boat Strikes Ground
On July 3rd, Donna and I were headed out of the harbor for a wonderful boat ride. The sea was flat, it was really hot and I couldn’t wait to get off shore. It is usually about 10 to 15 degrees cooler off shore. As we were headed out of the harbor there was a great deal of chatter on the VHF radio, by the Coast Guard, about boats needing to go slow out by Deer Island and the South Channel. It seemed that a boat had run aground. Now this isn’t new – a lot of sail boats, not familiar with the area run aground – Donna and I have seen it a few times.
However, this time, as we came around the corner to head out to sea we saw the whale watching boat The Massachusetts.
The boat had run around and ripped open a gash in the hull with 170+ people on board. A number of people came over to the boat and helped all of the passengers off the boat. From what I understand there were only a few injuries and everyone made it off. Sea Tow also showed up and was able to keep the boat from completely sinking and help salvage the boat.
It is very bizarre that this happened. This is a very well marked channel and even buoys all around that show there are rocks everywhere. I also have to believe that a Capitan of a whale watching boat who has been doing this for a while would know this. I am looking forward to the story that comes out after this.
Besides seeing the boat almost sink, it was a very nice day to be on the water. It was cool off shore and very calm. We shut our engines down, floated for a while as I cleaned the boat top to bottom for our big day on the 4th with Donna’s Uncle and his friends.
On our way it it definitely looked like the Massachusetts was going to make it into dry dock and not to the bottom of the ocean.
Capitan Steve
