Baranof Wind Update
Reports state the cause of the grounding was due to brown bears. The master of the vessel attempted to maneuver the Baranof Wind closer to allow passengers to see one or more bears spotted along the shoreline. After viewing the bears, he attempted to steer back into deeper water, but struck a rock instead. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter to the scene with a dewatering pump. The vessel was scheduled to be taken back to Sitka where it will be repaired. No comment from the bears.