The U.S. Coast Guard said the Lake Barkley Grounding Unified Command is scheduled to begin salvage operations Friday to unground the riverboat the American Jazz from Lake Barkley.
Reports to the News Edge indicate the water level on Lake Barkley has risen a few inches during the last few days. Reports also indicate the ship’s fuel has been removed to reduce the weight.
According to a release from the Heartland district of the coast guard, which includes western Kentucky waterways, a safety zone established by the unified command remains in effect from mile marker 61.5 to mile marker 63.5 on the Cumberland River as crews work to unground the vessel.
During this time, boaters are not allowed within 100 yards of the ship and the salvage operations area.
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 Friday along with some crew. About two dozen crew members have remained on the ship since its grounding.
