Cruise ship sinking near Juneau, Alaska

May 14, 2007

Juneau, Alaska - A cruise ship in Alaska, the Empress of the North, ran aground early this morning west of Juneau near Hanus Reef in Lynn Canal and is taking on water.

A cruise ship in Alaska, the Empress of the North, ran aground early this morning west of Juneau near Hanus Reef in Lynn Canal and is taking on water.

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.

From a Coast Guard press release: The 299 foot cruise ship Empress of the North ran aground 49 miles west of Juneau near Hanus Reef in Lynn Canal, Alaska this morning at about 2 AM local Alaska time. Coast Guard and other Good Samaritan vessels are coordinating efforts to evacuate the 281 passengers on board. No injuries have been reported.

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.

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.