Vancouver Cruise Ship Runs Aground, One Passenger Hospitalized

BREAKING: A serious incident unfolded this morning when the MV Harbour Princess, operated by Harbour Cruises, ran aground near Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver around 11:30 a.m. on July 30, 2023. This shocking accident left one passenger hospitalized, prompting an urgent investigation by authorities.

The cruise ship was on a dining and sightseeing tour when it struck rocks east of the Point Atkinson Lighthouse. The impact was significant enough to send glassware crashing to the deck, highlighting the force of the collision. Graham Clarke, owner of Harbour Cruises, expressed his confusion over the incident, stating, “There’s a charted rock in front of it, and for some reason, we hit it. I don’t understand why, but that’ll be up to Transport Canada to look into.”

Passengers were escorted back to Coal Harbour after the grounding, where emergency services attended to the injured individual, who is currently in stable condition. Clarke emphasized the experience of the officer in charge of the Princess, noting that he had passed all necessary examinations and was well-qualified to operate the vessel.

“This was an unexpected result, let’s put it that way,” Clarke added. “We’ll lift her out of the water and take a look and make sure that the damage is either repaired or is virtually non-existent. She’s not taking on any water, so I think she just bumped up onto the rock, and she’s a very strong vessel.”

In light of this incident, all passengers have been refunded their fares as a precaution. The MV Harbour Princess will remain out of service for up to 10 days while undergoing a thorough inspection by a third-party agency. Meanwhile, the Transportation Safety Board is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the grounding.

This incident raises critical safety questions for marine operations in the area and underscores the importance of vigilant navigation practices. As investigations continue, local residents and tourists alike will be watching closely for updates.

Stay tuned for more developments on this urgent situation as authorities work to uncover the cause of this alarming accident.