Coast Guard Responds to Cruise Ship Grounding v1 by Brian A Kennedy

JUNEAU, Alaska - 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 2a.m. local Alaska time. Coast Guard and other Good Samaritan vessels coordinated the evacuation of the 248 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.