Spirit Of Columbia Grounding August 19, 2007

Cruise West Spirit Of Columbia Aground On Mud Bar East Side Of Evans Island, In Latouche Passage, Near Whittier, Alaska

Spirit Of Columbia ran aground on a mud bar on the east side of Evans Island, in Latouche Passage, near Whittier, Alaska at approximately 9:53 a.m. The mini vessel, only 143 long, was built in 1979 and has been cruising in Alaska with an all American crew.

The Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore from Cordova, and two HH-60 helicopters and a C-130 aircraft from Kodiak were deployed to assist the ship near Anchorage, Alaska.

Weather conditions on scene at the time of the grounding were 2 - 4 foot seas and visibility at 4 - 6 miles.

Spirit of Columbia crew were able to free the ship themselves, but the Coast Guard Cutter Sycamore escorted the Spirit of Columbia back to Whittier for inspection.

There were 78 passengers onboard at the time of the incident. The ship takes 3 to 10 day voyages departing from the home port of Juneau, Alaska.

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