Marine Accident Report
Grounding of the Liberian Passenger Ship Star Princess
on Poundstone Rock, Lynn Canal, Alaska
June 23, 1995

NTSB Number MAR-97/02
NTIS Number PB97-916403
PDF Document (1.1M)

Abstract: On June 23, 1995, the passenger vessel Star Princess, traveling from Skagway to Juneau, Alaska, grounded on Poundstone Rock in Lynn Canal, about 21 miles northwest of Juneau. The vessel's bottom sustained significant damage. No injuries or deaths resulted from this accident. The total cost resulting from required repairs and the delay before the vessel could return to service was estimated at $27.16 million.

The major safety issues discussed in this report are the adequacy of the pilot's physical fitness for duty, the importance of bridge resource management, the pilotage practices in the Alaskan cruise industry, and the need for search and rescue planning.

As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board issued safety recommendations to the U.S. Coast Guard, the State pilot commissions, the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots, the Southeastern Alaska Pilots Association, the Alaska Coastwise Pilot Association, the San Diego Bay Pilots Association, Inc., Princess Cruise Lines, the American Pilots' Association, and the International Council of Cruise Lines.