New Bedford fishing boat collision with cruise ship under investigation

NEW BEDFORD — There will be a U.S. Coast Guard investigation into a collision early Saturday morning involving a fishing vessel out of New Bedford and a cruise ship.

The Gabby G, which had been fishing for whiting, was returning to port when it struck the Norwegian Pearl, which had been bound for Bermuda, according to the Coast Guard. The collision occurred at 2:25 a.m. in rainy conditions about 35 miles southeast of Nantucket.

The Norwegian Pearl was able to continue on its course, and there were no injuries. The Gabby G, which is listed as being about 69 feet in length, and about 23 feet in width, sustained some damage, but was able to return to New Bedford under its own power. It was later brought to Fairhaven.

WCVB reported the Norwegian Pearl is 965 feet long and can accommodate nearly 2,400 guests. The Pearl has 16 dining options, 15 bars and lounges, a casino and a spa, and sails weekly between Boston and Bermuda through November.

Dan Farnham, manager of vessel owner Gabby G Fisheries Inc. out of Montauk, N.Y., said there was one minor injury aboard the fishing vessel. “He’s all fine, just a little scrape,” he said.

Farnham said they consider New Bedford their home port. "We fish out of New Bedford all the time.”

He said they hoped to have the boat back out fishing in a month or so following repairs.

He was not on the boat on the morning of the collision.

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Farnham declined to get into the specifics of how the collision occurred due to the pending Coast Guard investigation.

U.S. Coast Guard officials said there is no timeline on the investigation to determine the cause and any damages.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Briana Carter said such collisions are not common.

“I do know the vessel (Gabby G) had radar on board. Commercial fishing vessels generally have radar on board — as well as cruise ships,” she said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of the story incorrectly stated the investigation would take about a month.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Coast Guard investigates Norwegian Pearl cruise ship-fishing boat crash