The U.S. Coast Guard is considering allowing a damaged tanker, carrying 285,000 barrels of gasoline, to unload its cargo in the New York Harbor before permanent repairs are made -- saving the vessel a long trip to its home port of Panama. "The Highland Faith (ship) has submitted a number of proposals that would allow it to offload its cargo," said Coast Guard spokesman John Hillin. "We are considering those (proposals) now." The 20-year-old Panamanian-flagged ship, which had been due into New York Harbor Dec. 5, was halted after a routine inspection revealed cracks on its deck and fuel vapors in its ballast tanks. As reported Friday, Coast Guard officials said no fuel had leaked into the water.
