BOSTON -- Two ferries collided in foggy Boston Harbor on Tuesday morning, but neither took on water and there were no reports of serious injuries, a Coast Guard spokesman said.
The Massachusetts, inbound from Hingham with 151 people on board, collided with the outbound Laura, which had four crew members on board, at about 7:30 a.m., Petty Officer Zach Zubricki said.
The collision occurred in an area called the Reserved Channel near South Boston. It was not immediately clear how fast the boats were traveling, but Mark Odell, a passenger on the Massachusetts, said the vessel was going slower than normal because of thick fog that made it impossible to see more than 10 or 15 feet.
Emergency medical services met the Massachusetts at Rowe's Wharf, Zubricki said. One man suffered cuts on his fingers but refused medical attention, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.
The Massachusetts had visible damage, including a gash about 31/2 feet long and a broken window near the bow. The Laura suffered an estimated $10,000 in damage, Pesaturo said.
"We were chugging along and we just heard this big smash," said Odell, 37, of Hingham, an equities trader at Canaccord Adams.
"There wasn't a lot of shake up, there were a couple shrieks and screams, but I'd say it was calm all things considered," he said. "I was never in fear that the boat was going down."
The crew immediately started distributing life vests, Odell said, adding that he'd continue taking the ferry to work.
Both boats were taken out of service, but Pesaturo did not anticipate a service interruption between Boston and Hingham.
The Coast Guard was investigating, and the weather could be a factor.
"The fog is thick and visibility is terrible," Zubricki said.
The boats are privately owned, but contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for commuter services. The 101-foot Laura is owned by Boston Harbor Cruises and the 88-foot Massachusetts is owned by Massachusetts Bay Lines Inc.
Boston Harbor Cruises deferred questions to the MBTA. A spokesman for Massachusetts Bay Lines did not immediately comment.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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