Passengers stranded on Missouri showboat

Over 600 people were stranded aboard the Branson Belle showboat overnight after running aground on Table Rock lake in Branson, Missouri.

The boat departed on a 2 1/2 hour cruise Saturday at 4 p.m. and was on its way back to disembark passengers when the incident occurred. The boat maintained electrical power to provide heat, lighting and food but there were no sleeping accommodations on board.

High winds and strong currents prevented a rescue attempt overnight forcing passengers to sleep in chairs or on the floor of the boat.

Lisa Rau, a spokeswoman for boat owner Herschend Family Entertainment told CNN “It has been determined that the safest thing to do is to leave the boat where it is until the winds die down”

The Branson Belle cruise is described as “a three-course meal, variety show, and opportunity to sightsee along Table Rock Lake” by promoter BransonShows.com.

“It’s not the best case scenario, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure everybody’s as comfortable as possible,” Rau said.

Flickr photo by Branson Missouri