Passengers on ship contact families

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Now that the "Triumph" is closer to land, passengers on board are able to contact their family members waiting for them in Mobile. Jon Hair drove from Indiana to pick up his wife and daughter aboard the ship.

He let FOX10 listen in on one of his conversations with his wife.

"You've got about 20 nosey people here with cameras and microphones listening to you," said Hair.  

Hair is learning more about the conditions his family has been facing on the ship. He said their experience hasn't been pleasant.

Jon Hair: '" They want to know how does it smell?

Wife: "Oh it is horrendous, horrendous…"

Hair’s wife said the ship’s crew is serving cold waffles, eggs and bacon. But she doesn't find it appetizing so, she improvised.

"Well, they opened up the gift shop. I spent $110 in the gift shop. Pringles were $6. I bought snickers bars. I bought skittles," said Mrs. Hair.

Hair said she is struggling to see on the ship.

"We don't have any lights in my room. No electrify, no lights in our room. In our room, it is pitch black," said Mrs. Hair.  

Beth Adkins also had the chance to touch base with her 18-year-old-daughter Brianna.

"I just want to get on land. I don't care where I am," said Brianna Adkins.

Brianna told her mother things are improving.

"She said right now, it's getting a little bit better. They have some food, and it was those first two days that were absolutely horrible," said Beth Adkins.