The National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) has determined that the reason that the Empress of the North ran aground on July 23, 2008 was the negligence of the captain. The captain allowed an inexperienced, newly licensed junior third mate to the bridge watch from midnight to 4 a.m.. The NTSB commented that the decision of leadership on the vessel failed to consider every option as critical decisions were made. The NTSB recommended that the Passenger Vessel Association (“PVA”) inform its members about the accident and the circumstances giving rise to the casualty.