LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) Louisville Division of Fire crews along with members of the U.S. Coast Guard resurrected a sunken rescue boat from the Ohio River Wednesday afternoon, five days after it capsized.
Louisville Fire Captain Sal Melendez said the operation, which took about 4 hours, had to be executed meticulously and with care for safety and the environment.
Melendez said the boat went underwater during severe storms July 20, but could not provide a cause for the sinking. He said an investigation was underway to determine the cause.
Several onlookers came to the scene to watch the recovery operation next to the Belle of Louisville.
The operation for the landmark attraction was not interrupted, Melendez said.
Dozens of members boarded the Belle for a family reunion while the recovery operations went on right next to them.
Once the boat was recovered and turned right side up, it was attached to a towboat and barge to be taken to dry land for the investigation.
Melendez said it was not immediately clear whether the boat would be salvageable.