Darcy Baldwin
11-10-2010, 03:37 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101110/ap_on_bi_ge/us_cruise_ship_fire
SAN DIEGO – Two tugboats slowly pulled a disabled cruise ship with nearly 4,500 passengers and crew toward San Diego on Wednesday.
The 952-foot Carnival Splendor crept into cell phone range and the onboard phone system started working on a limited basis, allowing passengers mostly cut off from communication since an engine fire Monday to finally reach their loved ones.
Officials said the ship could arrive in San Diego as early as mid-day Thursday.
Among those making calls was David Zambrano, who phoned his employer, Denver TV station 9NEWS, to describe what was happening on the ship. He said people were trying to keep their spirits up by singing, socializing and playing cards.
The ship's bars, casinos, pools and the upper deck were closed. Rooms in the interior of the ship were pitch black and passengers propped open their doors to let in air and emergency lighting from the hallways.
"So really, all we're doing is just kind of hanging out on a boat waiting for the next mealtime," Zambrano said.
SAN DIEGO – Two tugboats slowly pulled a disabled cruise ship with nearly 4,500 passengers and crew toward San Diego on Wednesday.
The 952-foot Carnival Splendor crept into cell phone range and the onboard phone system started working on a limited basis, allowing passengers mostly cut off from communication since an engine fire Monday to finally reach their loved ones.
Officials said the ship could arrive in San Diego as early as mid-day Thursday.
Among those making calls was David Zambrano, who phoned his employer, Denver TV station 9NEWS, to describe what was happening on the ship. He said people were trying to keep their spirits up by singing, socializing and playing cards.
The ship's bars, casinos, pools and the upper deck were closed. Rooms in the interior of the ship were pitch black and passengers propped open their doors to let in air and emergency lighting from the hallways.
"So really, all we're doing is just kind of hanging out on a boat waiting for the next mealtime," Zambrano said.