84 People Rescued after Restaurant Barge Breaks Loose

The Coast Guard and local agencies helped rescue 84 people after the restaurant barge that they were on, broke loose on the Ohio River.  The barge restaurant, the Jeff Ruby’s Waterfront Restaurant broke from its mooring at mile marker 471 on the Ohio River.  The barge floated approximately 85 yards downstream, before it finally settled down under a bridge.

The Kentucky Department of Transportation has inspected the bridge, and found no damage.  Coast Guard personnel as well as rescue crews from Boone County responded to the scene.  Three tugboats had to surround the barge to prevent it from moving downstream.  All the people on the boat were evacuated safety.  Fortunately, there were no injuries arising from this incident.   There was some panic on the floating restaurant as the barge broke away from its mooring and floated out.

According to the barge restaurant’s owner, it is the first time in the history of the restaurant that something like this happened.  There has been some speculation that high waters may have been to blame, but according to the restaurant owner, the restaurant has stayed open in worse weather conditions before.