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Coast Guard Responds To Disabled Ferry Off Martha's Vineyard

BOSTON (CBS) — The Coast Guard is responding after a ferry with more than 78 people aboard lost power while en route to Woods Hole from Martha's Vineyard on Saturday night.

No injuries were reported.

In a statement, the Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority said the vessel lost power to its main engines approximately 15 minutes into a 45-minute trip, which began at 8:30 p.m., from Vineyard Haven to Woods Hole.

"An emergency generator maintained power to the vessel but was not able to generate propulsion. The anchor was dropped to keep the vessel from drifting," the statement said.

There were 72 passengers and 14 crew members aboard, the statement said.

Two Coast Guard vessels were dispatched to the scene.

A tugboat arrived at approximately 10 p.m. to escort the vessel to Woods Hole. Two other tugs boats arrived later.

The captain of the Motor Vessel Martha's Vineyard had reported the incident to the Coast Guard at 9 p.m., the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The vessel, which was anchored outside Vineyard Haven between the East and West Chop, was escorted back to Vineyard Haven and arrived just before 2 a.m.

The cause of the power loss is being investigated.

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