Ferry American Pride Runs

The Coast Guard continues to coordinate the response to Saturday's grounding of the passenger ferry American Pride on Triangle Reef, just off the Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas Harbour, U.S. Virgin Islands. Fifteen passengers and three crewmembers aboard the American Pride were rescued from the vessel by Sea Tow Saint Thomas, and were reported to have suffered no injuries. The vessel had just departed the Saint Thomas Harbour and was headed to Tortola, British Virgin Islands when it ran aground. The Coast Guard was first notified about the grounding by a 911 operator.

It was reported to the Coast Guard yesterday that the portside fuel tank of the American Pride had ruptured and approximately 350 gallons of diesel fuel were released into the water. The starboard tank of the vessel remains intact and is currently holding approximately another 350 gallons of diesel fuel. The exact extent of the damage to the vessel's hull and to the coral reef will not be known until the vessel is refloated and a more comprehensive ocean-bottom survey is conducted.