The Bermuda Islander which travels between Bermuda and Salem County lost power and propulsion around 9:00 p.m. before running aground.
The U.S. Coast Guard says there were twelve people aboard when the ship hit shallow water and became stuck.
There are no reports of any injuries or pollution from the ship.
The Coast Guard is waiting until high tide at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to begin towing the ship back to high sea.
The ship is about three to four miles north of the Salem Nuclear Power Plant.