Hainline was retained by Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc. to provide construction management services for the river boat, Empress of the North.

The 360’ foot was constructed in 2002 on Whidbey Island for $50 million and debuted as a cruise ship in 2003. The Empress of the North accommodates 223 guests and originally cruised Alaska’s Inside Passage, the Pacific Northwest, and the Columbia River.