WOODS HOLE – The Coast Guard rescued 113 people from a grounded charter vessel near Woods Hole Tuesday at about 11:30 p.m. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England received a 911 call at approximately 10:44 p.m. stating the charter vessel Pied Piper ran aground near Grassy Island in Great Harbor. The vessel had 106 passengers and seven crewmembers aboard.
Multiple Coast Guard rescue crews launched, including two 45-foot Response Boat Medium crews from Station Woods Hole, a 29-foot Response Boat Small crew from Station Menemsha, and a 26-foot aids-to-navigation boat crew from Aids to Navigation Team Woods Hole.
By 11:30 p.m., Coast Guard crews were on scene with the Pied Piper and disembarking passengers. Falmouth Police and Coast Guard personnel conducted passenger accountability at Dyer’s Dock in Woods Hole. Near midnight, the Coast Guard crews had safely transferred all passengers and crew to shore.
“Our top priority was the immediate safety and accountability of all passengers and crew aboard the Pied Piper,” said Capt. John Kondratowicz, commander of Sector Southeastern New England. “The exceptional response by our boat crews and the Falmouth Police department led to a quick and successful rescue.”
No injuries or pollution were reported. Due to the incoming high tide the vesse was able to refloat and be towed back to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Dock. The cause of the grounding is under investigation.
Audio: U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Ross Ruddell
The M/V Pied Piper is operated by Falmouth Edgartown Ferry Service and was reportedly on a charter cruise for the Falmouth Raw Bar.
Material from U.S. Coast Guard used in this report; U.S. Coast Guard photo
