A total of 18 people were transported Friday to Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center after the Westin Resort and Villa’s ferry Westin Breeze went aground on a reef off Moravian Point, also called Moorehead Point, on St. John.
“One person complained of chest pains,” St. John Rescue member Bob Malacarne said as he and his fellow volunteers mopped up operations in the Westin parking lot.
According to Malacarne, another passenger had spinal pain, but the remainder had bruises or were shaken up by the accident.
U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said the accident happened at 9:15 a.m. By the time the Coast Guard’s 25-foot boat arrived at the scene, other boaters had taken the 23 passengers off the 71-foot ferry. Two crew members remained on board. Castrodad did not know the name of the captain.
“The vessel was taking on water,” he said.
Castrodad said later Friday that the vessel towing company Sea Tow was able to make temporary repairs and pull the Westin Breeze off the reef.
“They’re towing it to Tortola for repairs,” he said.
Westin manager Mike Ryan said that all of the people on board the Westin Breeze were Westin “associates” who were on their way to work from St. Thomas.
Ryan was quick to thank those boaters who came to the aid of those aboard the stranded vessel. He said that managers stayed with the workers while they were treated at Myrah Keating Smith.
While the boat carries the Westin logo, Ryan said it is owned by the St. John-based InterIsland Boat Service. The person who answered the phone at their office said the owner, Clifton Boynes Sr., had no comment.
Castrodad added that there are no signs of pollution in the water from the Westin Breeze.
An investigation into the accident’s cause is ongoing, Castrodad said.
This accident happened close to the area where on Dec. 5 the Boyson Inc. barge, the General II, grounded on a reef. Castrodad said that vessel remains under repair and the Coast Guard has not wrapped up its investigation. No one was injured in that accident.
The two companies, the Boynes-owned InterIsland Boat Service, and Boyson Inc. are not affiliated.
