Ferry "Adventure" grounded off Battery Island
The Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a report of multiple injuries after the Bald Head Island Ferry "Adventure" ran aground on Dec 17, 2013, in the vicinity of Battery Island near Southport, North Carolina.
The ferry ride between Southport and Bald Head typically takes 20 minutes. The crew of the ferry contacted Coast Guard Station Oak Island watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 9 a.m., reporting they ran aground and passengers aboard were in need of medical assistance.
The impact had sent several people flying, leaving numerous passengers bloodied. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued a marine assistance request broadcast and dispatched crews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and a 25-foot Response Boat - Small from Coast Guard Station Oak Island and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter "Bayberry" to assist. The crew of the "Bayberry" used their shallow water skiff to medevac injured passengers from the "Adventure" and transfer them to the 47-foot MLB and the 25-foot RB-S. 13 passengers were rushed off the ferry by Coast Guard officials and medical personnel, and taken to area hospitals for treatment.
A 14th person was transported because that person was assisting an injured passenger. The crews aboard the two rescue boats then took the injured passengers to Deep Point Marina. Partner agencies from Bald Head Island, Towboat US and the Brunswick Sherriff's department helped recover the non-injured passengers and transferred them to the Bald Head Island Ferry Ranger. 10 people suffered minor injuries, two were moderately injured and one person was potentially seriously injured in the accident.
Bald Head Island Limited, the ferry's operator, planned to have a tug help dislodge the ferry from the sandbar on Dec 18 at 7:50 a.m. during high tide. Coast Guard investigators, who were dispatched to the area from Wilmington, are focusing the investigation on why the incident occurred. During their initial investigation, Coast Guard officials worked with the ferry's crew members and evaluated the vessel'S stability in the water. The investigation into what caused a Bald Head Island ferry to run aground Tuesday morning could take monthsThe U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, to the ferry Adventure, which ran aground while carrying approximately 53 passengers near Battery Island, N.C. (U.S. Coast Guard photograph)
The Coast Guard and partner agencies responded to a report of multiple injuries after the Bald Head Island Ferry "Adventure" ran aground on Dec 17, 2013, in the vicinity of Battery Island near Southport, North Carolina.
The ferry ride between Southport and Bald Head typically takes 20 minutes. The crew of the ferry contacted Coast Guard Station Oak Island watchstanders via VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 9 a.m., reporting they ran aground and passengers aboard were in need of medical assistance.
The impact had sent several people flying, leaving numerous passengers bloodied. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders issued a marine assistance request broadcast and dispatched crews aboard a 47-foot Motor Life Boat and a 25-foot Response Boat - Small from Coast Guard Station Oak Island and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter "Bayberry" to assist. The crew of the "Bayberry" used their shallow water skiff to medevac injured passengers from the "Adventure" and transfer them to the 47-foot MLB and the 25-foot RB-S. 13 passengers were rushed off the ferry by Coast Guard officials and medical personnel, and taken to area hospitals for treatment.
A 14th person was transported because that person was assisting an injured passenger. The crews aboard the two rescue boats then took the injured passengers to Deep Point Marina. Partner agencies from Bald Head Island, Towboat US and the Brunswick Sherriff's department helped recover the non-injured passengers and transferred them to the Bald Head Island Ferry Ranger. 10 people suffered minor injuries, two were moderately injured and one person was potentially seriously injured in the accident.
Bald Head Island Limited, the ferry's operator, planned to have a tug help dislodge the ferry from the sandbar on Dec 18 at 7:50 a.m. during high tide. Coast Guard investigators, who were dispatched to the area from Wilmington, are focusing the investigation on why the incident occurred. During their initial investigation, Coast Guard officials worked with the ferry's crew members and evaluated the vessel'S stability in the water. The investigation into what caused a Bald Head Island ferry to run aground Tuesday morning could take monthsThe U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are responding Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, to the ferry Adventure, which ran aground while carrying approximately 53 passengers near Battery Island, N.C. (U.S. Coast Guard photograph)