Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (AK)
Tour Boat Evacuated After Hitting Rock In Bay
On the morning of August 19th, the tour boat Baranoff Wind struck a rock while travelling in the upper west arm of Glacier Bay, causing the vessel to begin taking on water in its engine compartment. There were 84 passengers on board at the time, including one NPS interpretive ranger and five crew members. The Holland America cruise ship Volendam was nearby and provided immediate assistance by evacuating stranded passengers. Rangers were on scene shortly after the incident occurred and provided EMS care. US Coast Guard Air Station Sitka responded with an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and provided a dewatering pump. Injuries were minor and only one patient and his companion asked to be transported via NPS vessel rather than continue on the trip in the cruise ship. No pollution was released into the water and the vessel was towed to Sitka for repairs. The National Park Service is working with the USCG on the accident investigation.