On 12/12/2010 9:32 AM, HarryK wrote:
chicagotribune.com
Weather forces Showboat Branson Belle aground on Table Rock Lake
The Belle and local authorities tell KY3 there's no serious injuries and
only three people requested medical assistance as a precaution.

KY3 News

9:15 PM CST, December 11, 2010

TABLE ROCK LAKE, Mo.

The wind was so strong Saturday night it blew the Showboat Branson Belle
aground during its cruise with guests onboard.

The Belle and local authorities tell KY3 there's no serious injuries and
only three people requested medical assistance as a precaution.

Management tells KY3 as the 4 p.m. cruise was heading back to port, the
Belle had problems with its thrusters. The Belle had to sit "quiet" on
the lake and wait for a tugboat. As the showboat was waiting, the winds
slowly pushed it to shore.

A passenger told KY3 over the phone Saturday night, most of the 567
passengers are calm but some are panicking.

The passenger also says the captain announced it's not safe to evacuate
the boat where they came aground. He said the rocky shoreline is covered
in ice. Fire crews are trying to create a gameplan but the captain
announced guests might be onboard throughout the night.

The best plan management tells KY3 is to somehow move the showboat
60-feet into a clearing where crews can help the passengers to safety.

Busses are scheduled to pick-up the passengers from Poverty Point on
Table Rock Lake and take them to the nearby Belle's parking lot. A first
responder on scene tells KY3, "it's gonna be a long night."

KY3 Meteorologist Brandon Beck says the Branson Airport had a maximum
gust of 45-miles-per-hour Saturday night.

At this point officials aren't sure if there's any structural damage to
the Belle itself.

KY3 News has a crew at the scene and will have more on Sunday's newscasts.

- - -

They didn't have an anchor?


You mean, to keep the boat from blowing onto the shore? Makes you wonder
about the CG safety inspections. As in, "So, captain, what do you do
when your engines fail? Hope the wind blows your boat onto the shore?"