LAKE BARKLEY, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Recovery of the riverboat American Jazz is taking longer than expected after the vessel became stuck on Lake Barkley Wednesday, and the Coast Guard has begun to disembark passengers.
The American Jazz became stuck on a sand bar near Barkley Bridge during a seven-day passenger cruise from Memphis to Nashville.
In a statement, American Cruise Lines representative Alexa Paolella said “work is progressing well in assisting the American Jazz off the sandbar in Lake Barkley, but the effort is taking longer than expected.”
The Coast Guard began evacuating passengers from the stuck vessel via tender Friday morning. The passengers then will proceed to Nashville to resume their trip.
According to Paolella, there are no signs of damage to the vessel and no pollution as a result of the incident.
“American Cruise Lines has been operating in Lake Barkley for almost 10 years and while we regret this incident, we look forward to continuing to visit and explore the wonderful ports and communities along the Cumberland River with our small riverboat,” Paolella said.