Whale Watch Boat Returns After Getting Stranded Overnight

Divers were able to free the boat Tuesday morning; all passengers will receive compensation

A whale watching boat that got stuck off the shore of Salem, Massachusetts, stranding 163 passengers overnight, has been freed from a lobster trap rope and returned to land, according to Boston Harbor Cruises.

The Boston Harbor Cruises boat has been freed by divers after getting stuck on the rope Monday afternoon, turning what was supposed to be a three-hour tour into an overnight trip for the passengers on board.

A Coast Guard boat stayed alongside the boat overnight to provide food, water and medical attention.

One passenger said, "I've got to give the crew a lot of credit. They were there. They met all our needs. They got us blankets. They got the Coast Guard there. My son got sick as a dog. The Coast Guard was there to tend to him."

In a statement to NECN, Boston Harbor Cruises says their "first priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our passengers. We acknowledge that the situation is causing inconvenience and discomfort for those onboard and we sincerely apologize for the disruption the incident is causing."

The passengers will receive a full refund for the trip, as well as a $100 gift card to Boston Harbor Cruises and $500 cash for every passenger.
 

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