The US Coast Guard is continuing its investigation into a near barge accident on the Ohio River last week. A restaurant barge moored on the Ohio River, broke free of its moorings, and ended up floating down the river. At least 83 people on the restaurant barge, the Waterfront restaurant, had to be rescued after their floating restaurant floated about 100 feet down the river. The barge finally came to a stop near a bridge.
According to the patrons of the restaurant, they suddenly felt a bump, and when they looked out the window, they found their floating restaurant moving along with the swift currents. Many of them tried to rush to the exit to get off the boat, but found that the walkway ramp had broken loose from the shore. Local fire personnel had to mount a rescue operation, and with the fast currents of the Ohio River, rescue wasn’t easy. Firefighters managed to put together a makeshift gang plank of ladders and ropes. The patrons were finally evacuated from the boat one by one.
According to people who are regulars at the restaurant, they have eaten at the restaurant in rough river conditions before, but have never experienced a problem with the barge breaking free. Apparently, one of the main cables became loose, and the remaining cables were not able to continue anchoring the barge.
Fortunately for the patrons of the restaurant, the barge’s journey down the river was halted by the bridge. If the bridge had not been located where it was, it is quite possible that the barge would have continued traveling hundreds of feet down the river, making rescue even harder. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident.
The maritime attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P. represent injured maritime workers, including offshore oil workers, barge crews, fishing vessel crews, cruise line workers and other maritime workers across the globe.
