Tourist boat Vista Star hits breakwater in Duluth; 1 person hospitalized, others injured

DULUTH, Minnesota (FOX 9) – One passenger aboard the Vista Star, a tourist boat that provides sightseeing cruises along Duluth’s waterfront, was taken to a hospital Saturday night after the vessel struck a breakwater. Several others aboard were treated for minor injuries.

What we know

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said it and other authorities responded to the Wisconsin Entry around 10:45 p.m.

The boat, carrying 84 people, was reportedly “against the breakwater” but not taking on water.

The US Coast Guard evacuated the injured man, who was then taken to hospital, but his life was not in danger.

Authorities at the scene then found the boat “listing to one side” and sitting in five-foot waves, the sheriff’s office said. “Listing” is a nautical term meaning that a vessel is listing to one side.

The crew was then able to get the vessel off the breakwater before being escorted back to the dock by the U.S. Coast Guard, St. Louis County Rescue Squad and the Duluth Fire Department. The Vista Star reportedly returned under its own power without further incident.

The Duluth Fire Department, along with paramedics from Mayo Ambulance, examined “multiple people” for what were described as minor injuries.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says it is still investigating the incident.

What they say

The owner of the Vista Fleet told FOX 21 that the Vista Star hit the breakwater when the vessel turned due to the 5-foot waves.

According to Vista Fleet owner Justin Steinbach, the captain felt there were “too many waves to comfortably sail back” and decided to return through the Superior entrance, which is protocol.

According to Steinbach, the captain must have become “disoriented by the opening in front of the entrance” and “drove too close to the rock face,” causing the boat to crash into the barrier.

A U.S. Coast Guard diver is expected to assess the Vista Star later Sunday. If the all-clear is given, the boat will depart as usual Monday.

Steinbach added that this is the first time any of the vessels in the Vista fleet has been involved in a collision since he bought the company in 2011.

Passengers on the boat also shared the following footage of the wedding party aboard the Vista Star and the subsequent rescue by the US Coast Guard:

FOX 21 also shared an image showing where the boat struck overall, according to Vista Fleet owner Justin Steinbach.