Jamie's Whaling Station vessel runs aground near Tofino, B.C. - Action News
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British Columbia

Jamie's Whaling Station vessel runs aground near Tofino, B.C.

A wildlife-watching vessel operated by the same company whose boat sank last year, killing six people, ran aground near Tofino, B.C., late Saturday evening.

Company says all passengers were rescued safely from a 'slow-speed bear watching tour'

The Stellar Sea ran aground near Tofino on Saturday evening. Everyone was take off the vessel safely. (Jamie's Whaling Station)

A wildlife-watching vessel operated by the same company whose boat sank last year, killingsix people,ran aground near Tofino, B.C., earlySaturday evening.

The Stellar Sea, operated by Jamie's Whaling Station, struck bottom and partially sank, according to a release from the Canadian Coast Guard.

The coast guard said none of the passengerson a bear-watching tour the last one of the day wereharmed.

"While going at slow speed on a bear-watching tour, one of our vessels grounded late yesterday afternoon. This occurred on shallow, sheltered inside waters," said Jamie's Whaling Station spokeswoman Corene Inouye.

"All passengers were returned to Tofino safely."

Slow speed, sheltered waters

In a release, the company says the vessel was travelling at a slow speed at the time of the incident, on inside, sheltered waters in Clayoquot Sound inWarn Bay when the groundingoccurredaround 5:45 p.m. PT on Saturday.

There were 26 passengers onboard during the tour, as well as twoTransport Canada-certified crew members.

The Stellar Sea, operated by Jamie's Whaling Station, ran aground late Saturday evening. (Jamie's Whaling Station)

"Because the vessel could not continue with its voyage, all passengers were transferred onto other company vessels that were in the vicinity and safely returned to Tofino," said the release.

"Refunds were provided to all passengers and some passengers were booked onto other tours [Sunday.]"

Jamie's Whaling Station says,despite the grounding, the vessel was, "not in danger of sinking, and none of the passengers or crew requested medical attention as a result of the incident."

TSB not investigating

As of Sunday evening, coast guard responders have not yet been able to remove the vessel.

A boom has been placed around itto contain any potential fuel spillage, but Emergency Management B.C. said the vessel does not appear to be leaking any fuel.

The Transportation Safety Board said, so far, itis not investigating the incident.

According to the tour company's website, the Stellar Sea holds 40 passengersand is typically used for bear watching and private charters.

Another vessel operated by Jamie's Whaling Station, the Leviathan II, sank in the same regionalmost a year ago, killing six people.

Jamie's Whaling Station said it was able to resume normal operations Sunday, and will use other boats while the Stellar Sea isrepaired.