Investigations found that the August grounding of the Capt. Richard G. Spear ferry off Vinalhaven was caused by human error.
Independent investigations made by both the Maine Department of Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard determined that to be the cause of the grounding, according to the Courier-Gazette.
“Based on the results of the investigation, MaineDOT concluded that human error was the cause of the incident, and we have taken appropriate action,” department spokesperson Paul Merrill told the newspaper.
He did not specify what “appropriate action” was taken and added that no final written disciplinary action was made.
The department previously said that the captain of the vessel at the time the ship went aground was a long-time employee with experience traveling the route.
The Maine State Ferry Service vessel was on a regularly scheduled trip between Vinalhaven and Rockland when it ran aground on the morning of Aug. 16. The incident damaged both of the Capt. Richard G. Spear’s propellers, left the ferry with a bent starboard rudder and knocked off the port rudder.
The ferry returned to service in mid-November after approximately $150,000 in repairs were made, according to the Courier-Gazette.
Your donation, in any amount, can help sustain the BDN’s civic news mission. Learn more about why we are asking for reader support.