Cruise Ship Runs Aground Off Alaska

[Ghost in the Machine]

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A cruise ship ran aground off the Alaska coast early Monday, and it was taking on water as its passengers were transferred to nearby ships, Coast Guard officials said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The Empress of the North, carrying 281 passengers and crew, was listing 6 degrees after hitting a rock at the southern end of Icy Strait, about 15 miles southwest of Juneau, said Petty Officer Christopher D. McLaughlin at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak.

An emergency radio message came in from the ship at 12:35 a.m., and a Coast Guard aircraft and helicopter were sent out, McLaughlin said. Over the following hours, passengers were transferred from the Empress of the North to fishing vessels and other cruise ships that were in the area.


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[Robbien]

1. more info

The 281 people aboard were climbing into lifeboats after the U.S.-flagged cruise ship hit a reef approximately 50 nautical miles (57 miles) from Alaska's capital of Juneau near Icy Strait and Chatham Strait.

The rescue effort began in the pre-dawn hours Monday.

A tug and barge with a capacity of 200 people was already on the scene, said Coast Guard Commander Jeff Carter. The Coast Guard also had one of its cutters, the Liberty, and a helicopter on the way, he added.

. . .

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, WA.

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

http://www.alaskareport.com/z45932_cruise_ship_sinking.htm

Nice to see some areas of the US still have a valid rescue system.