Seven Hurt in Seattle Water Taxi Mishap

SEATTLE --

Seven people were hurt after a King County water taxi collided into a pier on the Seattle waterfront Sunday. Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick said the injuries are minor.

A Coast Guard spokesperson said that the water taxi Rachel Marie collided with the pier around 11:30 a.m.

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Passengers told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News they had less than 10 seconds' warning before the boat rammed into the Washington Street Pier and seawall.

"The captain just came up and said, 'Brace for impact!" said Angie Moorehead, a passenger. "We all held on, and it was violent. It was horrible -- worst crash I've ever had in my life."

"It was just really scary. It's the scariest thing that's ever happened to us," said Leanna Hernandez, another passenger.

There were 73 people aboard the water taxi. One person jumped into the water but was immediately rescued.

Two Coast Guard vessels help evacuated passengers and crew off the Rachel Marie.

The Coast Guard said it appears it was a case of mechanical failure.

"At this point, I can't tell you what the exact mechanical failure is, but I can tell you that ... passengers reported the crew (told) them to brace for impact before this happened as if they may have known there was some sort of problem with the engine or the steering," said Coast Guard Lt. Jon Lane.

Water taxi service between West Seattle and downtown Seattle will operate on a normal schedule on Monday between Seacrest Dock and Pier 55, the King County Department of Transportation announced Sunday evening.

Regular service resumed Monday with the 6:50 a.m. sailing using an Argosy Cruises vessel, King County DOT said.

Passengers should visit the

King County Marine Division’s website

for updates and potential schedule adjustments.

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