Coast Guard Airdrops Food to Disabled Cargo Ship
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Elizabeth City)
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Elizabeth City)
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Elizabeth City)
The U.S. Coast Guard airdropped a large supply of food to the crew of a cargo ship that is adrift approximately 1,380 miles southeast of Bermuda after the vessel became disabled while transiting from Greece to Haiti.
The Coast Guard was notified Sunday morning that the 250-foot Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship, Alta, with 10 people onboard, was disabled and unable to make repairs. The crew reported that they had enough food for two days and water for 15 days, and that there were no injuries or immediate medical concerns.
The Coast Guard said it has continued to monitor the situation and has been maintaining regular communications with the vessel and utilizing the Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue System to find nearby vessels that may be able to assist.
On Tuesday afternoon, a Coast Guard aircrew was able to airdrop enough MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) for one week to the crew, which was retrieved by Alta’s crewmembers. The crew was reported to be in high spirits.
The ship owner has contracted a commercial tug to tow the vessel to Saint Maarten, which is expected to arrive at the Alta’s location next week.
The Coast Guard continues to monitor the Alta and coordinate rescue efforts.
