Supplies reach Carnival ship

Much-needed supplies and a third tugboat are heading across the Gulf of Mexico to try to make the end of the miserable voyage of the Carnival Triumph as comfortable as possible for hungry travelers who have waited in lines for hours for food and other necessities.

Carnival Cruise Lines said Wednesday afternoon it has dispatched another tugboat to help two others tow the disabled and befouled cruise ship to port in Mobile, Alabama, with U.S. Coast Guard escorts on the scene.

The cruise line also said it would compensate passengers $500 each in addition to measures previously announced, including refunds, CNN reported.

Carnival said on its Facebook page that it decided against sending another ship to pick up passengers because towing the ship to port was the safest option.

The Coast Guard delivered equipment to the struggling ship Wednesday afternoon, including a generator and electric cables.