The following is the text of a press release issued by Carnival Corp.:
(MIAMI) — At approximately 6 am this morning (U.S. Pacific Standard Time), a fire was detected in the aft engine room aboard the cruise ship Carnival Splendor. The fire has been extinguished. No injuries to guests or crew have been reported.
Currently the ship is operating on emergency generators and the ship’s crew is working to restore power to the vessel. The decision has been made to terminate the voyage. If power is restored, the ship will return to its homeport of Long Beach, Calif. under its own power. However, arrangements for tugboats have been made so that, in the event power is not restored, the ship will be returned to a port with tugboat assistance.
Regular announcements apprising guests of the situation began at approximately 6.30 am. Guests were initially asked to move from their cabins to the ship’s upper open deck areas. At this time, guests have access to their cabins, as well. Guests are being provided with bottled water and food items.
Currently, the vessel is located approximately 55 miles west of Punta San Jacinto, Mexico and sea conditions are calm. The vessel’s command is in contact with the U.S. Coast Guard which has deployed aircraft and cutters to the cruise ship’s location.
Carnival Splendor was on the first leg of a seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise that departed yesterday, Nov. 7, from Long Beach, Calif. Today was a scheduled day at sea. The ship’s normal itinerary includes stops in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The ship, which measures 113,000 gross registered tons and first entered service in July 2008, is carrying 3,299 guests and 1167 crew.
