The tugs are still several hours away from the Carnival Splendor and the towing process is expected to begin in the early to mid-afternoon, Pacific time, meaning the operation is on track to reach Ensenada mid-to-late afternoon on Wednesday.
According to the US Coast Guard, when the ship reaches Ensenada, all passengers will disembark, and the ship will then be towed to Long Beach. The US Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau will remain with the ship where it is adrift, approximately 200 miles south of San Diego, and then accompany it throughout the towing process until it reaches Long Beach to ensure the health and safety of passengers and crew.
Meanwhile, the US Navy has diverted the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan from its training maneuvers to a position south near Carnival Splendor to facilitate the delivery of needed supplies.
Beginning at 7am this morning (Pacific time), 35 pallets of supplies (food, water and hygiene supplies) were loaded onto VRC-30 Carrier On-board Delivery aircraft and flown to the Ronald Reagan. That part of the operation will take two or three trips of the aircraft and should wrap up in the late morning (Pacific time). Once aboard the Ronald Reagan, the 35,000 pounds of supplies will be repackaged into smaller loads and flown to Carnival Splendor on the carrier's helicopters this afternoon.
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