Damaged ship heads
to Hawaii for repairs

A Japan-bound research ship has turned back to Hawaii for repairs after high winds and heavy seas disabled two of its four engines.

The 591-foot ship Explorer, with 990 people on board, will take several days to reach Honolulu. The ship, used for a "Semester at Sea" training course, was on its way from Canada to Japan when it reported engine problems in 35-foot seas and gusts up to 50 mph on Wednesday. A 50-foot wave injured two crew members and broke bridge windows.

The weather has calmed since then, according to the Coast Guard. Its 378-foot cutter Jarvis is headed toward the Explorer, and a Coast Guard HC-130 is standing by on Midway island.