Damaged Cruise Ship Cleared To Leave NY

A cruise ship that was detained due to hull damage has been cleared to leave New York. The Coast Guard said Thursday that the Clipper Pacific may now safely travel to Tampa, Fla. for permanent repairs. It originally was bound for Venezuela. Passengers were allowed to come and go during the temporary repairs.The Clipper Pacific was arriving from Greenland when it was stopped on Sunday for a routine inspection in New York Harbor. It later was moved to the Brooklyn Cruise Ship Terminal. The Coast Guard says its original inspection also found 66 safety problems, including damage to lifeboats and life jacket issues. Messages left with the cruise ship's operator, Miami-based International Shipping Partners, wasn't immediately returned. The ship's home port is in the Bahamas.