A Boston cruise vessel that struck six moored sailboats in Boston Harbor on Thursday morning has been cleared to resume operations.
After inspecting a repair to the ship's propulsion system and given it a test trial on the sea, the U.S. Coast Guard cleared the Odyssey Friday morning.
On Thursday, the Odyssey was carrying 326 passengers, including a group of eighth grade students on a class trip from the Day Middle School in Newton, when it briefly lost power and struck the six sailboats.
No one was injured, but the incident cause Vernon Fritch to scramble for safety.
"It was kind of an out of life experience or something," Fritch recalled.
Passengers were let off the ship after about an hour. Students told NBC10 Boston they were upset that their school trip on the water was over before it even started, but they’re thankful no one was hurt.
"We were going straight and all of a sudden we turned left and into a crowd of boats and we just... kept going," said Indi Cha. "We all were just in awe... didn’t know what to do until someone told us to go inside."
U.S. & World
Odyssey Boston says a faulty part caused the engine failure. They released a statement that says in part, "The company has an exemplary record serving millions of guests in over 30 years cruising Boston Harbor."
According to its website, Odyssey offers cruises departing from Rowes Wharf along Boston Harbor from Castle Island to George's Island, east to the Boston Light on Little Brewster Island and back to the Charlestown Naval Yard before returning to the wharf. It also offers group events for school field trips.
The Coast Guard said the investigation into the cause of the failure is pending. Alcohol testing of the operator was completed on site.
The company is planning to hold a dinner cruise on the vessel at 7 p.m. Friday.
