Courtesy Kathy Diserens(KCEN) -- A local mother is spending her days worrying as her daughter is stranded on the Carnival cruise ship that is being towed back to shore.
A fire over the weekend knocked out the ship's propulsion system and left the vessel floating in the Gulf of Mexico.
Kathy Diserens, of Gatesville, has been concerned about her daughter, Morgan Schimschat, who is stranded on the ship.
She has received few updates from Schimschat, who says there is not often cell phone service on the boat.
In a text Diserens received on Monday, her daughter said, "We are miserable having to use the restroom in bags .... I'm safe and ok were jus ruffing it with no power except emergency lights and no running water at the moment..."
Diserens is trying to be patient and remain calm until her daughter returns to land safely.
She said in a message to KCEN, "It's extremely difficult to be strong especially not being able to hear from her. Just seems like carnival would do a better job of keeping us posted.. Knowing the conditions the passengers are dealing with.. Doesn't make sense that they have been out there this long."
Reports of sewage leaking into the halls of the ship have come in from passengers.
Schimschat's report of the conditions in a text to her mother spoke of similar surroundings.
In the text she said, "We had to wait in line today to eat for four hours!!! You jus wouldnt or coulnt believe all of this sewer is leaking out of rooms and everything they said the media is making it seem like nothing but it's horrible and unbelievable no air conditioning no nothing..."
The ship is expected to dock in Mobile, Alabama tomorrow.
