A vessel owned by Jamie’s Whaling Station struck bottom near Tofino on Saturday afternoon, according to the Joint Rescue Co-Ordination Centre in Victoria.
None of the several people on board the Stellar Sea were injured and all were safely transported off the boat.
The company has hired a contractor to salvage the vessel.
The Stellar Sea is owned and operated by Jamie’s Whaling Station, whose whale-watching boat sank near Tofino last year, claiming six lives.
According to the company website, the Stellar Sea is a 40-foot vessel that is often used for bear watching.
WATCH BELOW: A boat operated by Jamie’s Whaling Station ran aground Saturday night with 26 passengers and two crew members on board.
A statement from the company said the ship was travelling at slow speed in Clayoquot Sound at the time of the incident. Twenty-six passengers were on board as well as two Transport Canada-certified crew members.
“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,” the statement read.
Contrary to earlier reports, the company said the boat did not partially sink, but had run aground and could not move.
“The vessel was not in danger of sinking, and none of the passengers or crew requested medical attention as a result of the incident.”
The tour company has resumed normal operations and will be using other boats from their fleet while the Stellar Sea receives repairs.
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