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Provincetown Ferry Runs Aground In Boston Harbor

BOSTON (CBS) - A Provincetown ferry ran aground in the Boston Harbor near George's Island due to operator error on Saturday morning.

The Bay State Cruise Company, which owns the ferry, released a statement Saturday afternoon explaining that the accident took place in thick fog and was under the command of a captain who was still in training.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe Reports

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"The vessel was being operated by a captain who we've been training for over a month now. Overseeing the training skipper, was a veteran skipper of ours, who has been with us for over six years," Michael Glasfield said in a statement on behalf of the company. "At this time, it appears to us that it was a matter of operator error, clear and simple."

The ferry was carrying 149 passengers, who were transferred to another ferry with assistance from the Quincy Police Marine Unit and the Coast Guard. There were no injuries reported in the accident, but passengers were disappointed by the inconvenience.

"We were only going for the day but it ruined the whole day," said Dr. Irma Zarinsky of Swampscott.

Viewer Photos: Ferry Runs Aground

Provincetown ferry
Coast Guard helps passengers off stranded ferry in Boston Harbor. (Photo credit Jeffrey Cavallo)

It took about 45 minutes to get all of the passengers off the ferry.  Some arrived back to shore at Sea Port a little shaken up.

"When it stopped I thought it was like Titanic all over again," said Josh Bottoni. "I was going to get a door or something. I was looking for Rose. It was crazy."

The ferry will be floated free of the sandbar at the next high tide.

The company released a statement on their website saying the fast ferry will not be operating this weekend, and they will be accommodating passengers with privately chartered service to Provincetown.

WBZ-TV's Bree Sison contributed to this report.

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