How's this for exceptionally strange:

On Wednesday, the "Queen of the North" went aground and sank up in
British Columbia

Today, the "Empress of the North" went aground in the Columbia River.

Makes you wonder if the Wicked Witch of the West is at work someplace.
:-)

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District


Press Release Date: March 24, 2006
Contact: Dan McConnell - American West Steamboat Co
206-819-9211

Ensign Nick Barrow - Coast Guard, Sector Portland
503-849-2582


GUESTS ABOARD EMPRESS OF THE NORTH TRANSFERRED ASHORE
UNIFIED COMMAND ESTABLISHED IN PORTLAND, ORE.
PORTLAND, Ore. - A Unified Command has been established at Coast Guard
Sector Portland, Ore., to respond to the grounded 360-foot river
cruiseship the Empress of the North, operated by American West
Steamboat Co. The vessel grounded on a sandbar at 10:10 a.m., today
near the port of Washougal, Wash.

The Unified Command includes representatives from the Coast Guard,
Washington Department of Ecology, Portland Fire Bureau and American
West Steamboat Co.

The transfer of all passengers was completed at approximately 6 p.m.,
this evening. Passengers were transferred to a sister ship, the Queen
of the West using a barge placed between the two vessels; a process
that took less than an hour. They are being transported to the Port of
Washougal on the Columbia River.

"This decision was made with the cooperation of the Coast Guard as
well as local authorities. It is a precautionary measure to assure the
ultimate safety of our 180 guests," said David A. Giersdorf,
President of American West Steamboat Company.

A plan was put in place earlier this afternoon to make the
disembarkation process safe and comfortable as possible for the guests
on the ship. The good stability of the vessel and favorable weather
and daylight conditions made this preventative measure prudent, given
the unknown extent of damage to the vessel's hull. They were taken
to the Port of Washougal where hotel and dinner reservations have been
made for them nearby.

Now that the passenger transfer process has been completed, the
response now shifts to the salvage operations that will remove the
vessel from the sandbar. The Coast Guard will evaluate a salvage plan
to be submitted by American West Steamboat to ensure that the operation
can be done safely without causing additional damage to the vessel.

First responders as well as pollution response equipment, including
vessels and booming material are staged and standing by in Washougal.
This is a precautionary measure in order to be prepared for every
scenario, including a pollution response, if necessary.

"We will be here until the situation is resolved. We feel that we
can bring a safe conclusion, ensuring all safety and environmental
concerns are addressed, but are prepared to respond quickly in the
event of an emergency," said Capt. Patrick Gerrity, Coast Guard
Captain of the Port Portland.

The vessel is currently stable and is not a hazard to the navigable
channel. A 500-yard no wake zone remains in effect around the vessel.
Coast Guard personnel will remain on scene for as long as necessary to
constantly monitor the condition of the vessel.

Once re-floated, the Empress of the North will be moved to the Port of
Washougal to undergo a thorough inspection performed by Coast Guard
marine inspectors to determine the full extent of damage and assess the
integrity of the vessel.

The Empress of the North left Astoria, Ore., March 19, on a seven-night
Columbia River cruise. It was scheduled to return to Astoria Sunday.
Passengers will be notified of the status of their cruise by Mr.
Giersdorf Saturday morning at their hotel.


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U.S. Coast Guard - 13th District
13th District Public Information Site
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