ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Coast Guard says a Friday Harbor, Wash.-based charter boat with whale watchers on board ran aground in Southeast Alaska waters after it struck a rock.
Coast Guard officials say there were no injuries among the nine passengers and four crew members aboard the 75-foot Catalyst, which ran aground Tuesday west of Robert Island, about 68 miles from Juneau.
The passengers were first taken by skiff to Robert Island and later taken aboard the Coast Guard cutter Liberty. Petty Officer Charly Hengen says the plan late Tuesday night was for the cutter to take the passengers to Petersburg, Alaska.
Hengen says Tuesday evening’s high tide refloated the Catalyst and the captain reports no signs of damage to the vessel. A Coast Guard helicopter saw no evidence of pollution. The Catalyst is also expected to head to Petersburg.
