HYANNISPORT, Mass. -- Eighteen people were injured after a high-speed ferry struck a jetty in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, and began taking on water, authorities said.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Steamship Authority said the ferry Iyanough hit the jetty and grounded on the rocks at the Hyannis Harbor entrance around 10 p.m. Friday. It serves a 26-mile (42-kilometer) route between Nantucket and Hyannis.
The ferry is operated by the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, connecting the Massachusetts islands with the mainland. It can hold up to 400 people.
Steamship Authority general manager Wayne Lamson said Saturday it's still not clear what led to the crash and an investigation is underway. He said the seas were about 4 feet (1.2 meters), and the captain and the pilot may have had difficulty with the entrance to Hyannis in the harbor channel.
The trip had been the last one of the night, Lamson said.
The authority had said in a statement that bad weather, strong winds and choppy seas are believed to have contributed to the grounding of the vessel.
There were 48 passengers, six crew members and three food service workers on board, according to the authority. Hyannis acting Fire Chief Dean Melanson said that a total of 18 people were injured. And of those, 15 people- 13 passengers, one crew member and one food service worker -were taken to the hospital. The other three underwent evaluations that did not require them to be hospitalized.
Melanson said the injuries included bumps and bruises, and one person had an asthma attack. But none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.
A Cape Cod Hospital spokeswoman said the injured had been treated and released by noon Saturday.
Lamson said the ferry was removed early Saturday morning and is currently at the authority's dock in Hyannis. Temporary repairs are being made to the vessel.
The steamship authority has charted a vessel to fill in for the weekend and a different one for next week, Lamson said.
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The M/V Iyanough
Ride in style and luxury on board our seasonal high-speed passenger-only vessel, the M/V Iyanough, which serves the 26 mile route between Hyannis and Nantucket with a 1 hour crossing time. The M/V Iyanough was named after the Indian Sachem Chief of the Mattacheese tribe of Cummaquid, MA.
This state-of-the-art vessel also boasts the latest in passenger comfort and amenities, including free Wi-Fi access (standard on all Steamship Authority’s vessels and at all terminals). You’ll also enjoy flat-panel LCD TVs throughout the ship, a snack bar featuring beer, wine and mixed drinks, as well as a variety of hot and cold menu items.
The main passenger deck of the M/V Iyanough is fully accessible, including the rest rooms and snack bar. Access to the M/V Iyanough’s main passenger deck is by the transfer bridge that is used to board all passengers onto the ferry.
This state-of-the-art vessel also boasts the latest in passenger comfort and amenities, including free Wi-Fi access (standard on all Steamship Authority’s vessels and at all terminals). You’ll also enjoy flat-panel LCD TVs throughout the ship, a snack bar featuring beer, wine and mixed drinks, as well as a variety of hot and cold menu items.
The main passenger deck of the M/V Iyanough is fully accessible, including the rest rooms and snack bar. Access to the M/V Iyanough’s main passenger deck is by the transfer bridge that is used to board all passengers onto the ferry.
Fast Facts About The M/V Iyanough
- Carries up to 400 persons (including passengers and crew)
- Luggage room capacity: 20 to 30 luggage carts and 3 bicycle carts (10 bicycles per cart)
- All-aluminum catamaran
- Constructed in 2006 by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding of Somerset, MA to a design by Incat-Crowther PTY. Ltd of Sydney, Australia
- 154’ length with a beam of 39.04’
- Powered by 4 MTU 12V 4000 engines delivering a total of 9,400 HP with a service speed of 35 knots
- Launched in 2007
The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket from Cape Cod. We offer the lowest fares and the most frequent daily departures for passengers, automobiles, groups and trucks. Martha’s Vineyard ferries depart from Woods Hole and Nantucket ferries depart from Hyannis. Our seasonal high-speed passenger ferry, the M/V Iyanough, gets you to Nantucket, dock-to-dock, in just an hour.
Since 1960, we have been the lifeline to the Islands year-round. Our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crews are committed to the highest level of safety at sea. We are also dedicated to making your trip both comfortable and convenient with spacious seating, snack bars with beverages including beer, wine and mixed drinks and free Wi-Fi and TV on-board.