2 Injured When Ferryboat Crashes Into Catalina Pier
A 127-foot ferryboat suffered a mechanical failure and slammed into a pier at Two Harbors on Santa Catalina Island on Monday morning, injuring two of the more than 200 passengers aboard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said.
Deputies said one victim refused medical treatment and the other was released after examination at a medical center on the island.
The accident occurred about 11:30 a.m. as the captain was preparing to dock the Catalina Classic Cruises boat at Two Harbors after a 22-mile trip from Long Beach, officials said. Two Harbors is at the island’s isthmus, about 12 miles northwest of Avalon.
“As he came in, he threw both engines into reverse, but the transmission failed to engage on one of them,” said Sgt. Martin Dailey of the Sheriff Department’s Avalon station.
Dailey said the unequal thrust caused the boat to spin and strike the pier. The collision’s force reportedly knocked several passengers off their feet, including the two who were hurt.
The vessel was not seriously damaged, but the pier was severely battered and may take up to a week to repair, deputies said.
Catalina Classic Cruises could not be reached for comment late Monday.
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