Reply #13: US to evacuate Americans from Libya by ferry

[brooklynite]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department said late Tuesday it has chartered a ferry boat to evacuate Americans from Libya by sea amid increasingly violent unrest in the North African state as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi vowed further crackdowns on opponents seeking his ouster.

In a notice sent to U.S. citizens in Libya, the department said Americans wishing to leave Libya should report to the As-shahab port in the capital of Tripoli with their passports starting at 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The ferry will depart for the Mediterranean island of Malta no later than 3 p.m. local time.

It said boarding the vessel would be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those with medical emergencies or severe medical conditions. Travelers will be allowed one suitcase and one small carry-on item, the notice said, adding that pets would be allowed on the ferry but that they must meet European Union requirements.

Those who want be evacuated should be prepared to wait several hours and bring food, water and other necessities to the pier, which is on the sea road across from the Radisson Blu Mahari Hotel in Tripoli.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jYC-fCZ4U5Lat2LtD8usQ18X1GOg?docId=ec0a5bbd23894829aa45501c28dcfe1f

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Per CNN, there's no assurance the ferries will actually be able to sail into port.