Cruise ship runs aground in Virginia with 66 aboard

Passengers evacuate into smaller boats

By The Associated Press

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A cruise ship ran aground early Thursday and began taking on water, leaving 66 passengers trapped, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard received a report about the ship around 6 a.m., Petty Officer Chris Evanson told CNN. Crews were working to evacuate passengers into smaller boats.

"Right now our number one priority is to ensure the safety and security of everyone on board," Evanson said.

There were no reports of injuries, he said.

The boat, The Spirit of Nantucket, was on a 10-day cruise when it ran into trouble in the Intercoastal Waterway. It wasn't immediately clear why it ran aground.