Date: July 2, 2008
Contact: PA3 Connie Terrell
(617) 223-8515

BOSTON - The Coast Guard is responding after a Coast Guard cutter and ferry carrying 257 passengers and eight crew collided approximately three miles north of Block Island, R.I., around 12:15 p.m., today.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound received a call from the Coast Guard Cutter Morro Bay, a 140-foot ice-breaking tug homeported in New London, CT, reporting they and the Block Island Ferry collided.

Neither vessel is taking on water. The ferry has a dent about five feet above the water line. The Morro Bay has minimal damage and is fully operational.

Coast Guard Station Point Judith, R.I., dispatched a 47-foot boat crew to assist and the Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Newport, R.I., has also been diverted.

There are 18 crewmembers aboard the Morro Bay. 

Visibility at the time of the collision was reported to be about 200 yards.

The ferry was in route to Block Island and the Morro Bay was in route to New London.

The cause of the collision is under investigation.

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