Freeing riverboat stuck in Lake Barkley in Kentucky takes longer than expected

More than 100 passengers on a stranded riverboat in Kentucky were being removed from the ship Friday night as efforts to free the vessel take longer than expected.

The Coast Guard said in an update Friday night that passengers of the American Jazz, which is stuck on a sandbar on Lake Barkley in Western Kentucky, were “disembarking by pontoon boats, with rescue and assist boats nearby to ensure passenger safety.”

The Coast Guard said “a safety zone is in effect for three nautical miles, from mile marker 61 to 64 on the Cumberland River, during the disembarkation process.” The effort was being overseen by representatives of the Coast Guard, the state, Trigg County and American Cruise Lines, which operates the ship.

The Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley said it learned Thursday morning from American Cruise Lines that the vessel bound for Nashville was aground in Canton. The vessel was carrying 120 passengers and 54 crew members; no injuries, pollution or damage to the ship have been reported.

American Jazz was en route from Memphis to Nashville when it got stuck near mile marker 62 on the Cumberland River.

The Coast Guard said it was working with American Cruise Line to dislodge American Jazz.

A Coast Guard representative told WPSD Friday that three towing vessels had tried to pull the boat free but had been unsuccessful. He said “alternate plans” were being developed.

In a tweet, American Cruise Line said Friday afternoon that the effort to dislodge the vessel is “taking longer than expected.” Once passengers had disembarked, the cruise line said they hoped to ”have them proceed to Nashville, where they will be able to participate in regularly scheduled shore excursions.”

“American Cruise Lines has been operating in Lake Barkley for almost 10 years ... we regret this incident,” the company said. According to American Cruise Line public relations manager Alexa Paolella, the company operates 13 vessels in over 30 states.

American Jazz, which was on a seven-night cruise, is a new boat that passed its sea trials, during which its seaworthiness and safety were tested, nearly a year ago in August 2020. The ship’s capacity is 190 passengers, according to the company.

Coast Guard officials are currently investigating to determine why the ship got stuck.

This story was originally published July 9, 2021 at 1:41 PM.