Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas cleared to sail after storm-damage repairs, says Coast Guard

BAYONNE, New Jersey -- The Coast Guard has cleared a cruise ship that was battered and damaged by an intense winter storm earlier this week.

On Friday, Coast Guard spokesman Charles Rowe said inspectors were examining part of the Anthem of the Seas' propulsion system that had to be replaced. The left azipod was rendered inoperable during the storm, which packed hurricane-force winds and wave heights of 30 feet. An azipod is a propeller that's mounted to a steerable pod that contains an electric motor.

Rowe said that the ship had to meet standards before the vessel could sail. The Anthem was scheduled to leave at 3 p.m. Saturday from New Jersey.

The 1,141-foot ship returned early to its homeport of Bayonne on Wednesday night with 4,500 passengers and 1,600 crew members.