Published: July 23rd, 2008 12:03 PM
Last Modified: July 23rd, 2008 01:36 PM
The grounding of the cruise ship Empress of the North in Southeast Alaska last year has been traced to a decision by ship officers to put an inexperienced junior mate on the night watch.
Story tools
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the newly licensed junior third mate wasn't familiar with the route, the vessel's handling characteristics or the equipment on the vessel's bridge.
The third mate was on the bridge watch from midnight to 4 a.m.
NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker says the "flawed decision-making in this accident created the potential for a catastrophic disaster."
On May 14, 2007, the 300-foot passenger vessel grounded on a charted rock at the intersection of Lynn Canal and Icy Strait in Southeastern Alaska, about 20 miles southwest of Juneau.
Passengers and crew members were evacuated safely without injuries.
The ship is operated by Majestic America Line.
ADVERTISEMENT
4 hurt, 1 critically, in Hillside home fire
Bush Alaskans to get Venezuela subsidy after all
Cold spell hits just as gas rates go up
Coast Guard suspends search for overboard fisherman
Most read
Cold spell hits just as gas rates go up
Levi Johnston quits oil field job
Advanced search » | Place an employment ad
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.
© Copyright 2009, The Anchorage Daily News, a subsidiary of The McClatchy Company 
Contact Us | Newsroom Contacts | Communication Forms | Subscriptions | Advertising | Featured Advertisers | Terms of Use
Daily News Jobs | RSS Feeds | ADN Store | Newspapers in Education | Privacy Agreement
