U.S. Coast Guard Evacuates 113 from Stranded Ferry

The Coast Guard rescued 113 people from a grounded charter vessel near Woods Hole, Mass., Tuesday at about 11:30 p.m.. Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 113 people overnight from a grounded charter vessel near Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

The Coast Guard says it received a 911 call at approximately 10:44 p.m. Tuesday saying the charter vessel Pied Piper ran aground near Grassy Island in Great Harbor with 106 passengers and seven crewmembers aboard.

By 11:30 p.m., Coast Guard crews were on scene with response boats and disembarking passengers. All passnengers and crew were safely transferred to shore by about midnight.

No injuries or pollution were reported. Due to the incoming high tide the vesse was able to refloat and be towed back to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Dock.

“Our top priority was the immediate safety and accountability of all passengers and crew aboard the Pied Piper,” said Capt. John Kondratowicz, commander of Sector Southeastern New England. “The exceptional response by our boat crews and the Falmouth Police department led to a quick and successful rescue.”

The cause of the grounding is under investigation.