Coast Guard drops supplies to cargo ship adrift in Atlantic

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The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(PORTSMOUTH, Va.) — The Coast Guard airdropped a large supply of meals ready to eat (MREs) to a disabled cargo ship approximately 1,380 miles southeast of Bermuda on Tuesday, and continues to monitor the situation.

The Coast Guard was notified Sunday morning that the 250-foot Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship Alta, with 10 people on board, became disabled while transiting from Greece to Haiti and was 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 has been maintaining regular communications with the vessel and utilizing the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) to find nearby vessels that may be able to assist.

A crew aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., was able to airdrop enough food for one week to the crew Tuesday afternoon, which was retrieved by Alta’s crewmembers. The crew was reported to be in high spirits.

The shipowner 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 Alta and coordinate rescue efforts.

By Professional Mariner Staff