Sea Tow Rescues 21...

The high-speed passenger ferry American Pride which makes numerous daily runs between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and West End, Tortola, B.V.I. ran hard aground on Triangle Reef March 17th, in St. Thomas waters. Bareboat charter yachtsmen have been using the ferry for years to get from the St. Thomas airport to Tortola and the lovely cruising grounds in the B.V.I.

One wonders how such an accident can occur in this day of gps, chartplotters and radar, to say nothing of a crew with local knowledge on a route traveled countless times. Of course the U.S. Coast Guard is investigating and will issue a report in due time. Obviously the Captain and helmsman weren't paying attention, and maybe that's the lesson. Just because you are familiar with a particularly body of water doesn't mean you go skylarking.

The Coast Guard was notified of the accident by a 911 operator. Sea Tow St. Thomas and the Coast Guard rescued the 18 passengers and 3 crew members without incident. The ferry has been cut in two by local contractors and was hauled off on April 8th. The damage to the reef has yet to be determined.