Cruise ship dead in water after fire

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Nearly 4,500 passengers and crew on a seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera were stranded off the coast of Mexico after an engine room fire cut power to their ship. Tugboats and an aircraft carrier were headed out to help this morning.

The Carnival Splendor was 200 miles south of San Diego when the fire started Monday morning, according to a statement from Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines.

It was extinguished with no injuries to the 3,299 passengers and 1,167 crew members.

The 952-foot ship has auxiliary power, but air conditioning, hot food service, hot water and telephones were knocked out. Toilets and cold running water were restored last night, the cruise line said.

The vessel was about 55 miles off of the northern Baja California coast. Tugs were expected to reach the vessel at midday to tow it to Ensenada but it was unclear when they would arrive at the Mexican port, Carnival said. Passengers would then be bused back to the United States.

The ship was in contact with the U.S. Coast Guard, which deployed aircraft and ships.

The U.S. Navy was also diverting the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan from training maneuvers to help. A plane was to drop off 35 pallets of supplies on the carrier that will be delivered to the cruise liner by helicopters once the Reagan reaches the area, the Navy said in a statement.

The voyage, which began in Long Beach, was canceled and guests will get refunds, reimbursement for transportation costs and a free future cruise of equal value, the cruise line said.