Salvagers rescued the Road Town Fast Ferry vessel Makana after it partially sank Wednesday afternoon 
due to an error that occurred while it was being repaired on dry dock near Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, according to a statement issued by RTFF manager Deshaun Hodge.
“Despite all rumors, no workers or passengers were injured,” the statement said. “Safety is paramount for us at Road Town Fast Ferry, and our entire fleet continues to meet the highest Coast Guard and regulatory standards.”
The Makana began taking on water at the Subbase Dry Dock Wednesday afternoon.
Ricardo Castrodad, public information officer for the United States Coast Guard, said his agency received a report at about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday that the vessel was taking on water.
Workers at Sea Tow Virgin Islands placed a containment boom around the vessel to protect surrounding water from possible pollution, Mr. Castrodad said.
Kevin Rowlette, the owner of Husky Salvage and Towing, said his Tortola-based company was also responding to the incident.
“I’m standing right beside it,” Mr. Rowlette said at about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. “There’s about 30 percent of [the boat] in the water.”
Mr. Rowlette said he was unable provide further details, and excused himself: “We’re kind of busy here.”
Almost three hours later the boat had been removed from the water and placed back on a dry dock.
According to the company’s management, there are no immediate plans to have the vessel back in operation any time soon.