SAFETY BOARD TO MEET ON EMPRESS OF THE NORTH GROUNDING ACCIDENT

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

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                       NTSB ADVISORY
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

July 17, 2008

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SAFETY BOARD TO MEET ON EMPRESS OF THE NORTH GROUNDING 
ACCIDENT

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The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public 
Board meeting Tuesday, July 22, at 1:30 p.m., in its Board 
Room and Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., 
Washington, D.C. 

There is one item on the agenda. The Board will consider a 
final report on the following accident: 

On Monday, May 14, 2007, the 300-foot passenger vessel 
Empress of the North, operated by Majestic America Line, 
grounded on a charted rock at the intersection of Lynn Canal 
and Icy Strait in southeastern Alaska, about 20 miles 
southwest of Juneau.  As the vessel was negotiating a turn 
west out of Lynn Canal into Icy Strait on its way to Glacier 
Bay, it struck the rock, known as Rocky Island, which was 
illuminated by a flashing green navigation light. The 206 
passengers and nonessential crewmembers were evacuated 
safely without injuries.  The vessel sustained damage to its 
starboard underside and propulsion system.
 
A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be 
available on the Board's website at 
http://www.ntsb.gov/events/Boardmeeting.htm. Technical 
support details are available under "Board Meetings." To 
report any problems, please call 703-993-3100 and ask for 
Webcast Technical Support. 

A summary of the Board's final report, which will include 
findings, probable cause and safety recommendations, will 
appear on the website shortly after the conclusion of the 
meeting. The entire report will appear on the website 
several weeks later. 

Directions to the NTSB Board Room: Front door located on 
Lower 10th Street, directly below L'Enfant Plaza. From 
Metro, exit L'Enfant Plaza station at 9th and D Streets 
escalator, walk through shopping mall, at the CVS store (on 
the left), take escalator (on the right) down one level. The 
Board room will be to your left. 

 
Media Contact: Keith Holloway, 202-314-6100 
hollowk@xxxxxxxx 




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