125-Foot Yacht Collides with Dock in Washington

On October 7 at about 8:15 a.m., a new 125-foot Westport yacht was moored at the fuel dock in Port Angeles Boat Haven in Washington when the vessel “suddenly accelerated from the fuel dock, in an easterly direction, and collided with several docks and at least seven other boats,” a press release from Clallam County Sheriff’s Office says.

The mooring lines were secured to the dock, but the fueling process hadn’t started. As a result of the incident, the docks and boats were damaged, and research vessel Kuapio Kohola was extensively damaged. The sheriff’s office estimates damages “likely exceed well over $100,000.”

Six crewmembers, all of which were Westport Yacht employees, including the captain, were on board at the time of the collision, but there were no reported injuries.

Clallam County chief criminal deputy Brian King told local media Peninsula Daily News that “it possibly had something to do with the onboard electronics.”

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected, and the cause of the incident is under investigation by Clallam County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit, the United States Coast Guard Investigative Unit, and the Port Angeles Police Department.

Photo: Clallam County Sheriff's Office