The Carnival Splendor cruise ship, which underwent weeks of repair at the Port of San Francisco, is leaving for Long Beach tonight.
A fire started in the engine room of the Carnival Splendor on Nov. 8, and knocked out the ship’s propulsion abilities. The ship was left drifting 150 miles south of San Diego without any way of getting to land.
No one was injured in the fire, but about 4,500 crewmembers and passengers were stuck at sea for three days. Coast Guard crews and others had to fly in food, water and medical assistance before the ship was tugged to San Diego.
It arrived at the Port of San Francisco the afternoon of Jan. 23 to receive two new generators and a new engine, port spokesman Gerry Roybal said.
The ship’s departure was delayed slightly this week so it could be restocked. For the past few days it has been docked at the cruise ship terminal for final preparations.
“We were getting it ready for its voyage, restocking stuff like frozen chickens and finishing up last-minute details,” Roybal said.
The ship is expected to leave for Long Beach at 5 p.m., where it will welcome its first passengers since the accident.
The ship will carry about 1,200 crewmembers with it from San Francisco.
“It will travel at about 18 knots, which will put it down there in about a day’s time,” Roybal said.
The Splendor had cruises canceled on Jan. 16, 23, and 30, and Feb. 6 and 13. It’s scheduled to resume service to the Mexican Riviera on Feb. 20.
Kristen Peters, Bay City News
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