Discover

The '''Empress of the North''' is a 360-foot diesel-powered paddlewheeler operated by Majestic America Line. She was built in 2002 at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders shipyard
^[1]
on Whidbey Island for $50 million and debuted as a cruise ship in 2003. She is listed as accommodating 223 guests, and cruises Alaska's Inside Passage, the Pacific Northwest, and the Columbia River. The ship is decorated with a 19th century Russian theme, but adds an Alaskan touch with carvings and masks.
^[2]
Several smaller port cities in Alaska like Wrangell and Petersburg depend on the visits by the Empress for a substantial amount of tourist related commerce.
^[3]

Contents

Grounding incidents

References

External links

Grounding incidents

The ''Empress'' has run aground four times. She struck a navigation lock in October 2003 at the Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River
^[4]
and suffered another grounding in November 2003 near The Dalles in the Columbia River. She grounded again in March 2006 near Washougal
^[5]
in the Columbia River.
Early on May 14, 2007, The ''Empress of the North'' struck Rocky Island during a course correction while navigating a 90 degree right turn in the Lynn Canal of southeast Alaska.
^[6]
The Empress then drifted aground onto Hanus Rock
^[7]
about 50 nautical miles from Juneau, Alaska in Icy Strait, forcing all 248 passengers to abandon ship. 4-5 small boats with fishermen helped the Coast Guard safely evacuate everyone with no injuries. The rescue effort took place in rainy conditions with 15 knot winds.
^[8]
The ship listed 6 degrees but was stabilized, under its own power. 33 crewmembers stayed aboard to facilitate the vessel's return to Juneau under Coast Guard escort.
^[9]
[10]
The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation
^[11]
[12] but maritime experts believe the accident was caused by the inexperience of a ship's officer. ^[13]
The Empress was repaired at Vigor Industrial's shipyard in Portland, Oregon by Vigor Marine LLC, and returned to service on July 7.
^[14]
[15]

References

1. Nichols Brothers Part of Ferry Building Team

2. Empress of the North webpage Accessed May 14, 2007.

3. Little Alaska towns feel the loss of cruise ship's visits

4. Fourth grounding incident for Empress of the North

5. The 360-Foot Empress Of The North Ran Aground In Western U.S.

6. Course change led ship to shoal

7. Alaskan Cruise Ship: Empress of the North Passengers Abandon Ship

8. Passengers safe after cruise ship ran aground

9. Empress of the North underway and en route to Juneau escorted by Coast Guard Cutter ''Liberty''

10. Passengers rescued from cruise ship off Alaska

11. NTSB Advisory concerning the investigation of the May 14, 2007 Empress of the North grounding incident Accessed May 15, 2007.

12. NTSB finds small cruise ship safety problems; recommends inspections

13. New Mate - Wrong Turn | gCaptain.com
14. Empress of the North Drydocked in Portland

15. Vigor Marine Completes Empress of the North Repairs Accessed July 7, 2007.

External links

'Majestic America Line press releases regarding the May 14, 2007 grounding incident'

★ Notification (PDF format)

★ Initial assessment (PDF format)

★ Initial estimation of 2007 season cancellations (PDF format)

★ Repairs and revised impact of 2007 schedule dates (PDF format)