The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a mechanical failure which caused the Boston Harbor Cruises ship Regency to collide with three other tourist boats belonging to the same company while approaching Long Wharf. A witness to the incident, Rick Natale, stated “It looked like the captain had no control.” Natale told Fox News that the Regency collided with the speed boat Codzilla then became wedged between a whale-watching boat and water taxi. Other witnesses told news outlets that black, thick smoke emanated from the Regency as it tried to reverse.

The Regency was carrying dozens of passengers at the time of incident. Firefighters were called to the scene to escort passengers off the disabled cruise ship. All passengers and crew onboard the cruise ship was able to safely disembark. The Coast Guard reported that the whale watching boat and water taxi suffered only minor damage for the incident but the Regency and Codzilla would require repairs.

A statement issued by Boston Harbor Cruises read: “that an air control actuator in one of the vessel’s four engines malfunctioned. This failure prevented the captain from disengaging forward propulsion on the outboard starboard engine during his approach to Long Wharf.”

Sources: Fox News Travel
Maritime Executive

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