Block Island Boat Reportedly Struck Whale

BLOCK ISLAND — Passengers who were rescued by the Coast Guard from a boat off Block Island earlier today said that the object they struck was a whale.

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard said that the agency could not confirm the reports that the vessel struck a whale, as there were no signs of the animal upon arrival.

The spokesperson said that a jayhawk helicopter responded to the scene, where the Coast Guard rescued and safely transported five people after their boat, the "No Plans," struck an object, sustained damaged to the hull and started taking on water.

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U.S. Coast Guard Northeast posted photos of the damaged vessel to Twitter just after 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

The photos show a gaping hole in the boat's hull.

The "No Plans" was 10 miles off Block Island when it struck the object, according to the tweet.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

The vessel was safely towed in to shore at Point Judith.

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