59 passengers on board a party boat that became stuck on the Erie Canal in Monroe County had to be removed with the aid of a local fire department’s ladder bucket.
A passenger on board the Colonial Belle sent a text message to 911 just after 9 o’clock Tuesday night saying the boat had lost power and was drifting into the banks near Ayrault Road in Perinton. Less than two hours later, additional calls were received to 9-1-1 that the boat was unable to navigate the Canal near Perinton Park and passengers were unable to get off due to its position.
The Fairport Fire Department arrived on scene and found the disabled boat was close to a dock, but still 6-7 feet out from it due to the sloped rock walls along the canal. The department’s ladder bucket was set up on the canal path and utilized to pick people off the top deck and bring them to the ground. It took almost three hours to remove everyone from the Belle.
The boat was secured by the Fire Department to await removal.
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