Cruise Ship Triumph Limping Toward Port As Conditions Aboard Worsen

Conditions aboard the crippled Carnival Triumph are continuing to deteriorate as the vessel is towed toward port in Mobile, Ala., today. The cruise ship, which was stranded in the Gulf of Mexico after an engine room fire knocked out its four engines, is expected to arrive late tonight. The 900-foot-long vessel was expected to arrive in port earlier today, but rough weather during the night has slowed its journey.

The fire early Sunday caused widespread malfunctions in the ship, knocking out most electrical power and taking out the sanitary system. The more than 4,000 passengers and crewmembers are dealing with increasingly squalid conditions, reporting sewage sloshing around in hallways, flooded rooms and long lines to get food.

Families of passengers aboard the ship report hourslong waits for food and fights breaking out among guests as provisions run short.

Carnival has reserved 100 motor coaches, more than 1,500 New Orleans hotel rooms, charter flights to Houston and transport from Houston to the Port of Galveston for the passengers upon their arrival in port. The company has said each passenger would receive $500, a free flight home, full refund for the trip and most on board expenses, and credit for another cruise.

The Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety BOard and the Bahamas Maritime Authority are investigating the cause of the fire. As the vessel is Bahamian flagged, the BMA is the primary investigative agency.

The cruise ship injury lawyers at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers  represent cruise vessel crewmembers and passengers who have been injured on cruise ships.