The live camera watching Cruz Bay captured the aftermath of the collision of the Red Hook I with the Loredon L. Boynes Ferry Dock on Saturday, February 14, as the 4 p.m. ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas, arrived at approximately 4:20 p.m., top photo. After the collision the vessel appeared drifted and nearly run into dinghy dock before the crew of vessel regained control and put the vessel in full throttle reverse, according to one photographer.
The incident is under investigation and the vessel is in dry dock undergoing repairs, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.
CRUZ BAY HARBOR — After less than four months in regular service, the new catamaran ferry Red Hook I operated by Varlack Ventures is out of service after running into the Loredon L. Boynes Ferry Dock in Cruz Bay on Saturday afternoon, February 14, and suffering “substantial damage” to its port pontoon.
There were reportedly at least two injuries among the 117 passengers, according to Ricardo Castrodad, Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Coast guard Sector San Juan.
The vessel sustained “substantial damage to its portside pontoon,” and the vessel was in dry dock at week’s end.
“An investigation is underway,” according to Castrodad. “We were notified immediately following the incident.”
“The investigation is being carried out by Coast Guard Marine Safety investigators from the Marine Safety Detachment on St. Thomas,” Castrodad added.
Although there were intimations the incident was caused by sea conditions, several photographs taken immediately after the collision show the vessel drifting towards the shoreline at Wharfside Village in calm waters before it reversed engines abruptly and inched back to the pier.
