CG Responds to Drifting Container Ship

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Coast Guard is responding to a distress call from a container ship that lost propulsion in the Santa Barbara Channel.

The vessel Maersk Kawasaki was heading north through the channel when it lost propulsion due to an unknown cause.

The Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip, home-ported in Oxnard, was dispatched to the scene. Tugboats in the local area were also dispatched.

The Maersk Kawasaki is maintaining its current position with the use of thrusters located at the bow and stern of the vessel. There is no immediate threat to oil platforms or the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The Coast Guard is monitoring the vessel's position through the Vessel Traffic Service and Marine Exchange.

The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast advising maritime traffic in the area.

The casualty is under investigation.