An ACL-American Cruise Lines river ship with 160+ people onboard ran aground near Canton, Kentucky.
The ACL ship American Jazz ran aground on Wednesday, July 7, after straying from the main shipping channel and planting herself on the sandbar in just feet of water. The CG (Coast Guard) reported the ship was aground near mile marker 62 on Cumberland River, outside the ship channel with a total of 120 passengers and 54 crew members onboard. American Jazz was located in Lake Barkley, a damned reservoir on Cumberland that crosses the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
No injuries, damage, or pollution have been reported.
“Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley watchstanders received a call Thursday morning from American Cruise Lines stating their vessel American Jazz ran aground. A Coast Guard Station Paducah 29-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water boat crew along with a Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah marine investigator were launched to the scene,” the USCG said.
A Unified Command, comprised of representatives from the State of Kentucky, Trigg County, the Coast Guard, and ACL is overseeing the disembarkation of guests by pontoon boats, with assist and rescue boats nearby to ensure passenger safety.
A safety zone is in effect for 3 nautical miles, from mile marker 61 to 64 on Cumberland River, during the disembarkation.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
A statement from American said the American Jazz ship was on a 7-night “Music Cities Cruise” from Memphis TN to Nashville TN US.
According to an update from the company on Friday, the effort to refloat the ship was taking longer than expected:
“Work is progressing well in assisting the American Jazz off the sandbar in Lake Barkley, but the effort is taking longer than expected. We are working with the Coast Guard to disembark guests today via tender and have them proceed to Nashville, where they will be able to participate in regularly scheduled shore excursions. There remains no damage to the vessel, no pollution, and no other resulting areas of concern. 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 riverboats.”