The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(JUNEAU, Alaska) — The Coast Guard responded to a call from a disabled 143-foot cruise ship, Spirit of Columbia, with 89 passengers onboard that reportedly lost power to both generators and was operating on one of two propeller engine’s two miles from Warm Springs Bay at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Coast Guard Cutter Liberty stationed in Auke Bay responded to assist early today.
While the Liberty was en route to the scene, Spirit of Columbia effected repairs to both main generators but still had only one operable propeller.
Escorted by Liberty, Spirit of Columbia is estimated to arrive in Auke Bay at 4:30 p.m. today.
The Spirit of Columbia does not know what caused the propeller engine to stop working.
No injuries have been reported. The cause of the incident is under investigation.
