Rough sailing for some riders on Kennywood's Pirate Ship

The Pirate Ship at Kennywood is supposed to make the butterflies flutter in riders' stomachs as the giant pendulum ride swings back and forth.

But on Wednesday afternoon, the ride for some patrons was a little too close to a ship sailing through rough waters.

The attraction malfunctioned and turned what typically is a 2- to 3-minute ride into 10 minutes until crews could engage a backup braking system to stop it.

"Nobody was injured,” said Nick Paradise, a spokesman for the park. "Some of the younger kids on the ride were a little shaken up and some people felt nauseous.”

Medical personnel responded to the scene to check on patrons, Paradise said.

The Pirate Ship ride is 35 years old and has had no safety related problems in the past.

Repairs were made and it was reopened to the public today, Paradise said.

The malfunction occurred a day after the park's newest addition, the Thomas Town train, derailed.

Adjustments were made to the new ride and it was reopened on Wednesday.

Tony LaRussa is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tony at 724-772-6368 or tlarussa@tribweb.com or via Twitter @TonyLaRussaTrib.