NATCHEZ — American Queen passengers touring Natchez on Monday were interested in but not nervous about reports that a sister vessel had grounded near Juneau, Alaska, earlier that morning.

“We’re not at all anxious,” said Bob Cartwright of Florence, Ky., who was traveling on the paddle wheeler with his wife, Marilyn.

The American Queen docked at Natchez early Monday for a one-day stop.

“This is our third voyage. We’ve had one previous one on the American Queen and one on the Delta Queen.”

The three Mississippi River steamboats that visit Natchez — American, Delta and Mississippi Queens — are operated by Majestic America Line, owner of the Empress of the North, the vessel that went aground with more than 200 passengers and a crew of about 75, according to news reports.

The Seattle Times reported by mid afternoon Monday that the ship, which is based in Portland, had arrived safely at a harbor in Juneau and that all aboard were safely evacuated.

“The very first day one of the first things we do is learn how to exit the boat just in case we have to,” Cartwright said.

“They check everybody and make sure you know how to put on your life preserver,” he said.

“There is always a risk when you travel, even getting into your car,” he said.

Phyllis Hill of Springfield, Ohio, said she felt no less safe on the American Queen after hearing about the accident in Alaska. “I feel perfectly safe,” she said.

Robin Lee Rose, also of Ohio, agreed. “They are very mindful about people’s safety and security,” she said.

Dr. James T. Coy III, manager of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, said when television stations aired the news of the accident early Monday, his first thought was for the safety of the people.

“First and foremost, I hoped the passengers were all OK,” he said.

As the reports continued, he said, it became clear that passengers would be evacuated and that the grounding was not in danger of becoming a catastrophe.

“My next thought centered around the financial status of the owners of Majestic America Line,” he said.

“I know they have put a lot of money and effort into refurbishing their vessels.”

The three riverboats were absent from the Mississippi River most of 2006 because of the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

They began to return on a regular basis to Natchez in early March and have been making stops at least weekly since then.

“We were thrilled to see them back in Natchez,” Coy said. “For the economy of Natchez it’s a stabilizing factor.”

Majestic America Line was formed in 2006, combining American West Steamboat Company and the vessels of Delta Queen Steamboat Company.

The company is a division of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors International, Inc.

Efforts on Monday to reach a spokesman for the company were unsuccessful.