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Lt. Baxter said he was unsure where the ship would travel after leaving Lake Barkley.
The American Jazz became grounded on July 7 in the mud outside the marked navigational channel north of the US 68 bridge on Lake Barkley. The ship, owned by American Cruise Lines, was en route from Memphis to Nashville with 120 passengers and over 40 crew members.
The passengers were taken off the boat last Friday along with some crew. About two dozen crew members remained on the ship.
It’s not immediately known if the American Jazz will continue using Lake Barkley as part of its cruise route. According to the company, the Memphis to Nashville package offered by the cruise line started earlier this year.
Hopkinsville, KY, USA / WHOP 1230 AM | News Radio
Jul 16, 2021 | 4:26 PM
After nine days of being stuck in the mud in Lake Barkley, the American Jazz is finally free.
WPSD TV reports the boat became free about 3:30 p.m. Friday. It had been stuck just north of the US 68 bridge since July 7.
Lt. Philip Baxter with the U.S. Coast Guard told the TV station that the plan had been to get the boat moving Saturday preparation work Thursday and Friday, but crews noticed Friday that the Cumberland River had risen about six inches, giving the boat some wiggle room.
Baxter said the crew used a tug assist and a barge with wires, and put the ship in reverse for about two and a half hours, allowing to boat to free itself.
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The American Jazz cruise ship on Lake Barkley. Photo: Clarksville Now/Courtesy WKRN
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a third-party company was brought in to pump fuel out of the ship in an effort to make it lighter.
Friday, crews were on the water attaching cables in order to lift the vessel off of the sandbar.
Twenty-seven crew members remained on board after 120 passengers and other crew members were disembarked last week.
The American Jazz was on a seven-night Music Cities Cruise from Memphis to Nashville. The ship got stuck on the sandbar the afternoon of July 7.
Clarksville NowCourtesy WKRNThe American Jazz cruise ship on Lake Barkley.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a third-party company was brought in to pump fuel out of the ship in an effort to make it lighter.
Friday, crews were on the water attaching cables in order to lift the vessel off of the sandbar.
Twenty-seven crew members remained on board after 120 passengers and other crew members were disembarked last week.
The American Jazz was on a seven-night Music Cities Cruise from Memphis to Nashville. The ship got stuck on the sandbar the afternoon of July 7.