Cruise ship runs aground off Alaska

[babylonsister]

Source: AP

Cruise ship runs aground off Alaska

12 minutes ago

JUNEAU, Alaska - A cruise ship ran aground off the Alaska coast early Monday, and more than 200 passengers were being transferred to life boats and other vessels, Coast Guard officials said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The 299-foot Empress of the North, carrying 281 people, was listing by about 6 degrees after hitting Hanus Rock at the southern end of the Icy Strait southwest of Juneau, said Petty Officer Christopher D. McLaughlin at the Coast Guard base in Kodiak.

A Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter were dispatched after an emergency radio message was received at 12:35 a.m. from the ship, operated by Majestic America Line of Seattle, McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said the reason for the grounding was unclear, but he said the ship was not believed to be taking on water.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070514/ap_on_re_us/cruise_ship_aground;_ylt=A0WTcVHWVUhGwFUBJCqs0NUE

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Here's a spec page for "Empress of the North":

http://www.majesticamericaline.com/products/DeckPlans.aspx?ID=3&DetailID=10318


Basically, it's a modern ship designed to look like an old Mississippi riverboat...

[Aristus]

14. Hey! I saw that ship just the other day in Skagway!

We were on the Sun Princess docked at the pier in Skagway. The Norwegian Sun was across the way, and in the middle was the Empress Of The North paddlewheeler.

Who knew then that a few days later it would make national headlines?

[Atman]

2. Watch CNN if you want the "STUPID" version...is it SINKING or AGROUND?

CNN is playing this up as a "sinking" cruise ship, evacutating the passengers before it sinks. Uh...excuse me, if it's aground, just how far do they expect it to SINK? Just askin'.

.

[Toots]

3. It hit a rock that is out in the middle of the otherwise deep water

If it slides off the rock and has a hole punched in it it will sink.

[Atman]

5. Well then...it figures

If I want the REAL story, I turn to DU. The "news" never seems to be "news."

Thanks.

.

[Cooley Hurd]

6. The teenager who monitors the web and then reports on it (Jackie-something)

...keeps referring to it as a paddlewheel steamer when, in fact, it's a modern diesel-electric vessel propelled by pods and thrusters (the paddlewheel is merely a decoration).

Jackie, let the adults report the news...:eyes:

[liberal N proud]

7. Going for the sensationalism

I would hate to see what FAUX is doing with it. They probably are telling that it could be a terra attack.

Anything to get the hysteria going.

[MiniMe]

4. Well, I am supposed to be on that ship in August

Wonder if that will happen now.

[Cleita]

9. Sign up for TheRandi Rhodes Alaska cruise in August instead.

It's on her website. It's on Holland America's flagship Amsterdam. If the gods favor it, I'm going. It's surprisingly affordable.

[Anywho6]

11. We're actually supposed to be on that boat on May 26th! n/t

[Bandit]

12. I suspect you will have no problems

The ship is a double hull vessel and it does not appear to have breached the inner hull. They will of course have to do some repairs but it doesn't appear that the vessel will sink. I doubt the Captain will be kept on though. Hannus Reef is very well known and well marked and there can really be no other reason other than Captain error. If they would have had mechanical problems such as steering or navigation problems they would have notified the Coast Guard as required by law. They did not so I would say that Captain will be driving taxi in the near future. All passengers are safe and sound and have arrived in Juneau. An Alaskan Ferry picked up the passengers and took them to Juneau. I think it would have been very exciting for those passengers on board and something they will never forget...It is of course always very nice when there are no casualties..

[MiniMe]

13. Wow, I hope it is repaired in time

Apparently that is not the first time it has run aground from some of the stories. Makes you wonder about 1) the captain and 2) the sonar/depth finder on the ship.

I would appreciate hearing how it goes for you, I am really looking forward to this trip.

Bon Voyage

[Anywho6]

16. Our cruise has been canceled

We're in the process of trying to quick-plan a trip leaving out of Seattle (we live near Sacramento) to Victoria and Vancouver, BC instead since we have the time off anyway. We are trying to make the most out of a bad situation. Majestic America is refunding our fare for the cruise, but we could only get a credit through the airline. Had travel insurance, but they said they wouldn't cover our airfare because it was the cruise line's fault. Nice. I will NEVER buy travel insurance again. I feel like an idiot and they were rude (AIG Travel Guard sucks!!!!).

I hope you get to go on your cruise. We're hoping maybe we can do it next year.

Peace...

[MiniMe]

17. Wow, that really stinks

I'm not surprised it was cancelled, they have to complete their investigation and repair the boat. But I'm sorry your cruise got cancelled. I really think the cruise line should refund your airfare, but they probably won't.

Apparently this is not the first time the ship has run aground, really makes you wonder if it is the captain or the equipment on the boat. I'm hoping that we don't hear anything that goes "bump" in the night.

I hope your vacation works out for you.

[Ian David]

8. I'm waiting to see someone sitting beside the ship in a rowboat...

as someone walks behind them in hip waders.

[zbdent]

10. I wondered if that Exxon Valdez captain

got a job ... now I know ...

[emad]

15. 'Vortex Of Evil Off Alaskan Coast' - Gore

Clinton, Tennessee, 5/14/07: Former Vice President Al Gore in a dramatic press release today announced the discovery of a 'Vortex of Evil and Corruption'. Gore said recent events have pointed out the possibility, and a nonofficial study by experts now tends to bear out the fact.

"Unfortunately, it is an inconvenient truth," said Mr. Gore. "that there now exists, and possibly has for some time, existed, a sort of vortex of evil and corruption, near the coast of Alaska. I believe the first real evidence of this came nearly thirty years ago and just was not recognized at the time. I am referring to the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, the repercussions from which are still being felt today."

"Then more recently," he said. "We are witness to the infamous 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' controversy in Juneau, about 450 air miles away or so, which is still going on. And, we've just seen the exposure of arrogant evil in the 'Corrupt Bastards Club' in the Alaskan legislature with the arrests of several legislators with more certain to follow. The two top officers of the corrupt VECO Corporation have already confessed and turned over thousands of incriminating documents."

He went on, "Now, just this morning we have learned of the grounding, flooding and abandonment by passengers of the cruise ship 'Empress of the North' just west of Juneau. In fact, this may be strong evidence that the actual center of the vortex may be in Juneau itself, since several of the evil events have transpired there. And, or course this is where the legislature meets too."
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s5i18754