ANACORTES – A whale-watching vessel ran aground near the north end of Whidbey Island, and seven of the 52 people aboard were taken to a hospital as a precaution, authorities said.
The Island Explorer II ran aground about 8 p.m. Thursday near Deception Pass State Park, about 50 miles north of Seattle, Coast Guard Petty Officer David Marin said.
The hull was damaged and water gushed into two compartments, but pumps were used to control the flooding and the crew managed to get the small cruise vessel to nearby Anacortes under its own power, he said.
All 52 people aboard disembarked and seven passengers were taken to Island Hospital, where they were checked, treated for minor injuries and released, nursing director Lois Pate said.
There was no indications of any release of oil or other pollutants. The Coast Guard is investigating the grounding.
The Island Explorer II is owned by Island Adventures Inc. of Anacortes and is certified by the Coast Guard to carry 102 passengers, although trips are generally limited “to about 80 for comfort and quality,” according to the company’s Web site.
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