Causes of cruise ship evacuation still under investigation
Why a riverboat-style cruise ship ran aground in a rocky shore was still being investigated in an incident that forced the safe evacuation of more than 200 passengers off the Alaska coast, officials said.
Chief Petty Officer Barry Lane told the Associated Press that all passengers had been evacuated from the Empress of the North as well as the 29 crew members. There were no reports of injuries.
“The story is shaping up for the good,” Mr Lane said.
The ship sent out a distress message that brought US Coast Guard helicopters to the scene near Juneau. The message said the ship was taking on water and listing.
As the ship’s pumps worked to remove the water, passengers were transferred to other boats in the area and then to the Alaska state ferry Columbia; passengers were taken to Juneau.
The American-built ship is billed by owner Majestic America Line of Seattle as the only overnight paddlewheel vessel in use on Alaska cruises. It also is used on cruises on the Columbia River between Washington state and Oregon.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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