BOSTON (WHDH) - A Boston Harbor cruise ship with more than 300 passengers on board struck six sailboats after losing control in Boston Harbor Thursday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
A mechanical failure caused the captain of the Odyssey ship to lose control of the vessel around 11 a.m. before hitting the boats, officials said.
Several students from the Day Middle School in Newton were on the ship for a field trip during the incident while a separate party was taking place.
Vernon Fritch, an instructor with the Boston Sailing Club, was forced to jump from one boat into another to avoid the oncoming ship.
“It actually backed into us,” he said. “It pushed both boats back about 100 feet into the moorings.
Don Symington, the owner boat rental business on the harbor, heard the Odyssey’s horn sound five times as it traveled through the water in reverse.
“Somehow they were not able to get it out of reverse and the boat just kept going with seemingly no way to stop it,” he said. “The people on the boat were screaming.”
The party went on as planned after the ship returned to the dock, officials added.
No injuries were reported. The captain of the ship was tested for possible alcohol consumption.
“The Coast Guard, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police and Boston Fire Department immediately responded to ensure no one was hurt,” said Captain Claudia Gelzer, Sector Boston Captain of the Port. “We are investigating the cause to prevent future accidents.”
The Coast Guard is investigating the incident.
Boston Fire on the scene after a Boston Harbor cruise ship, the Odyssey, lost control and reportedly struck several boats in the harbor according to the Coast Guard. There are school children on board. No injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/srzTeH0FUB
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) June 21, 2018
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