After more than a week, the riverboat stuck on Lake Barkley was freed Friday.
The vessel, American Jazz, became stuck on a sandbar the afternoon of Wednesday, July 7 at approximately 1:00. Authorities were not alerted to the stranded vessel until Thursday, July 8.
Most of the 174 passengers (120) and crew (54) were offloaded on July 9, with others disembarking July 11. Twenty-seven members of the crew remained on board. No injuries to anyone on the riverboat were reported and the boat was not damaged.
The boat was freed when it was left in full reverse for about three hours Friday while a towing vessel pushed the riverboat. A crane also assisted in freeing the boat, with the riverboat working itself free at about 3:20 Friday afternoon, U.S. Coast Guard official Phillip Baxter told news outlets.
A similar operation was previously attempted but did not work. Since then, though, the river level rose, and the boat was carrying less fuel, allowing for more favorable conditions.
The riverboat underwent a hull inspection before leaving for Nashville on Saturday.
American Jazz, operated by American Cruise Lines, was on a seven-night Music Cities Cruise between Memphis and Nashville.
The riverboat became stuck near Canton, in Trigg County.
(Photo of American Jazz being freed from a sandbar courtesy of WPSD.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
