Boat ‘Harbour Princess’ ran aground off West Vancouver

A tour boat with more than fifty people on board ran aground off West Vancouver on Sunday, stranding dozens of passengers.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre says that the boat called “Harbour Princess” ran aground at around 11:30 a.m. near Point Atkinson.

Joint Rescue Coordination Centre spokesperson Capt. Pedram Mohyeddin says one person was injured and had to be taken to the hospital.

“One passenger was transported to BC Ambulance Service by Hovercraft,” Mohyeddin explained.

All other passengers stayed on the boat as other rescue units responded to the scene.

The coast guard ship, a Vancouver police boat, and civilian boats answered the mayday call.

Eventually, it was accompanied back to its home base at Coal Harbour.

“The ‘Harbor Princess’ was escorted back to Coal Harbor under its own power, and I believe it’s back at the dock now,” Mohyeddin said.

It’s not yet known what led to the boat running aground.

“I am sure there will be an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board,” he explained.

“But right now, we do not know how it happened or the extent of the damage or anything like that,” Mohyeddin added.

With files from Ridley Wilson.