Victoria Clipper Docked By Debris

The Victoria Clipper catamaran was forced to return to British Columbia after it struck some debris near the international border, knocking a hole in the starboard hull, the Canadian Coast Guard said.

“There was no danger at any time,” said a Coast Guard representative who did not want his name published.

The catamaran, with 144 people aboard and nine crew members, was en route to Seattle when it hit what was probably a large “deadhead,” or piece of wood, about 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Coast Guard said.

“We were going pretty fast, and it was a pretty loud crunch,” passenger Jon Kerr told KING-TV in Seattle. “It shook pretty much most of the boat. There were a lot of people pretty worried.”

Passenger Mike Sole said he heard two bangs in quick succession before the boat was thrown into reverse.

The accident left a small hole in the starboard hull, but the boat’s pumps were easily able to empty out any water, the Coast Guard said.

The catamaran turned around and went back to Victoria after the mishap. The boat docked just before 8 p.m.

Some passengers returned to Seattle by ferry to Vancouver, British Columbia, and then by bus. Others returned on another vessel.