Empress of the North Runs Aground in Alaskan Strait

JUNEAU, Alaska, May 14, 2007 (The Boating Channel)

The 360-foot paddelwheel cruise ship Empress of the North ran aground 49 miles west of Juneau near Hanus Reef in Lynn Canal, Alaska this morning at about 2a.m. local Alaska time.

According to Petty Officer Christopher D. McLaughlin at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak, the ship was listing 6 degrees and was taking on water.

Coast Guard and other good samaritan vessels, including some fishing boats and other cruise ships in the area, coordinated efforts to evacuate the 281 passengers on board. No injuries have been reported. The evacuated passengers have been taken to Juno.

The weather on scene is calm. The Coast Guard is working with other state and federal agencies to ensure the safety of everyone on board and to mitigate any potential environmental damage. The vessel is owned an operated by Majestic America Line of Seattle, Washington.

The Empress of the North contacted the Coast Guard via VHF radio on Channel 16 reporting they were aground with 281 passengers on board.

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak launched a C-130 crew and a pre-deployed HH-60 helicopter crew from Cordova, Alaska to the scene.

The Coast Guard is still investigating the cause of the grounding.