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Slow Going For Disabled Cruise Ship Near San Diego

SAN DIEGO (AP) - A Coast Guard official says one of two tugboats tasked with pulling a disabled cruise ship to San Diego didn't have enough power and was forced to turn back.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jetta Disco says a Mexican company has sent a third tugboat to the scene but authorities are trying to determine whether it would be better to leave the one tugboat alone while it slowly makes headway.

She says using two tugboats is more complicated and may not necessarily move the ship faster.

An engine fire Monday cut power to the Carnival Splendor, carrying nearly 4,500 passengers and crew on a Mexican Riviera cruise.

The Splendor was 125 miles south of San Diego and was expected to arrive Thursday with good weather.

Carnival says the boat is starting to move into cell phone range.

Passengers have cold water and food, and were being entertained with music, trivia contests, board games and even a scavenger hunt, according to Carnival.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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