Stranded cruise ship under tow

Latest update from the Carnival Splendor, which was left drifting without power after an engine room fire, is that the first Mexican tug have arrived to take it under tow. Additional tugs are heading for the cruise ship.
The original plan was to tow the vessel to Ensenada, but Carnival now say it will reach San Diego, California by late Thursday. Arrangements are neing made to provide hotel accommodation for the 3,299 passengers before taking them by road to Long Beach, , where they embarked on Sunday.
If the ship is unable to make sufficient speed under tow, it is possible that it will be taken to Mexico instead.
Engineers have restored enough emergency power to make the vacuum-flush toilets work and to provide cold running water but there is no hot food, air-conditioning or telephone service.
Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan has been diverted to the Splendor and will deliver food supplies by helicopter. The ship has only a day’s supply of fresh food left because refrigerators stopped working when the power was cut. Among the emergency supplies being airlifted are boxes of crab meat, croissants and tins of Spam.
A Carnival spokesman said: “Guests are able to move about the ship and food and beverage service, along with some shipboard programming, including children’s activities and entertainment, are being provided.”
Passengers will receive a full refund of the fare they have paid for their doomed cruise, plus a free cruise of equivalent value. They will also be reimbursed for any additional fares incurred.
No passengers or crew were injured in the fire, and US Coastguard officials say there is no apparent structural damage to the vessel.