Tow Strikes Ohio River Yacht Club

A tow of six barges pushed by the mv. Dale Artigue struck a yacht club on the Ohio River, tearing loose several pleasure boats—and the club’s floating restaurant, which was pushed downriver some distance by the tow’s bow.

The Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club, located in Ludlow, Ky., on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, was struck by the tow in the early morning hours of October 2. Local news reports and social media posts said no one was injured, although at least one person was reportedly on one of the vessels that were struck.

The towboat and tow were stopped in mid-river while responders attended the scene, and river traffic was halted. News footage showed the floating restaurant attached to the tow’s bow, while several pleasure craft, some sinking, were attached to the tow’s sides.

At press time, according to Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Jim Brendel, the river was still closed as debris still in the river was scanned with side-scan sonars and other sensing equipment. The designated salvor is McGinnis Inc. “We’re still trying to find pieces of the floating dock,” he told The Waterways Journal. The boats and restaurant had been separated from the tow by press time.

The Dale Artigue is a twin-screw, 4,720 hp. boat built in 2012 by Horizon Shipbuilding. It is operated by Florida Marine Transporters of Mandeville, La.