ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Coast Guard remains on scene helping crew and passengers after a fire disabled the cruise ship Carnival Splendor 200 miles south of San Diego.
The Coast Guard continues to monitor and work with Carnival Cruise Lines to ensure the safety of the ship crew and passengers. The U.S. Navy is helping with efforts to provide supplies to the stranded cruise ship.
"Ensuring the safety and well-being of those in need on the high seas is of paramount importance to the Coast Guard," said Rear Adm. Joseph "Pepe" Castillo, Commander, 11th Coast Guard District. "Although more than 40 years old, the high-endurance cutter Morgenthau is proving valuable to this response."
The following updated information are current status as of 4 p.m. today:
The cruise ship Carnival Splendor remains adrift off the coast of Mexico; there is no longer a fire onboard.
Carnival Cruise Ships contracted two tugs to tow the stranded cruise ship.
The Coast Guard requested the USS Ronald Reagan to help deliver supplies, such as non-perishable food.
The 952-foot cruise ship will be towed into a safe port where it will unload its passengers and will proceed to a safe port.
The Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, a high endurance cutter based out of Alameda, Calif., is currently monitoring the situation. A boarding team concluded that the cruise ship crew and passengers are safe. No injuries are reported at this time.
A preliminary investigation is being conducted to find out the cause of the fire.
Initial reports of the fire were received by the U.S. Coast Guard at 8 a.m., Nov. 8. The Coast Guard responded with three cutters, an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, and coordinated a response with a merchant vessel through the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System. In addition, a Mexican Navy 140-foot patrol boat and aircraft responded.
The fire was found in the aft engine room and was extinguished at approximately 9 a.m. Nov. 8, however, the ship lost the use of its generators.
The Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center Alameda is currently in contact with all response assets as well as Carnival Cruise Line's operations' center.
The Carnival Splendor is a Panamanian-flagged vessel and sailed out of Long Beach, Calif. en route to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Its last port call was Los Angeles Nov. 7.
For more updates on the Carnival Splendor, contact Carnival Media Relations at (305) 406-5464, email: media@carnival.com. Family members of passengers and crew may contact 1-888-290-5095 for more information.
For more information on the U.S. Navy response, contact Navy Third Fleet Public Affairs at (619) 524-9868 or visit www.navy.mil.