VINALHAVEN, Maine — Editor's note: The video attached to this story was published Aug. 16.
An investigation into what caused a passenger ferry to run aground in August just off the coast of Vinalhaven has determined it was the result of human error.
The Captain Richard G. Spear, a ferry operated by the Maine Ferry Service that runs between Rockland and Vinalhaven, struck a ledge when it was pulling away from the island on the morning of Aug. 16, according to a news release issued by the Maine Department of Transporation on the day of the incident.
No injuries were reported among the 65 passengers and five crew members who were aboard the Spear, which returned to Vinalhaven to unload passengers before being taken to Rockland Marine Shipyard for inspection, the August release stated.
An early investigation showed the starboard rudder was bent, the port rudder was missing, and both propellers were damaged, a follow-up release stated the day after the crash.
An investigation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, as is standard practice for incidents such as this, and the MaineDOT.
The MaineDOT's investigation findings concluded that the incident was caused by human error and that "appropriate action" was taken, MaineDOT spokesperson Paul Merrill said, and the cost of the repairs totaled about $150,000.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to an email inquiry Friday stating that their investigation into the incident is still ongoing.