Bellaire Harbor Service Crew Rescues Four At Markland

Four people escaped injury April 16 after being rescued from the water when their skiff overturned in high wind just upstream of Markland Locks and Dam.

Bellaire Harbor Service said in a news release that at about 4:25 p.m. its mv. Samuel J was moored on the cells above Markland during operations involving the mv. Jennifer Kidd when crewmembers received a radio report that the skiff had capsized and that people were in the water.

The Samuel J crew sounded the general alarm and initiated emergency response procedures, including deploying life rings and bringing all four people safely aboard within minutes. Following the rescue, the Jennifer Kidd launched its skiff and assisted in securing the capsized vessel which was moved to the left descending bank and tied off.

“This is exactly what our crews are trained to do,” Bellaire owner Capt. Bob Harrison said. “They recognized the situation immediately, responded without hesitation and carried out the rescue professionally from start to finish. Their actions made the difference in what could have been a much more serious outcome.”

The skiff was carrying a construction crew headed back to their vehicles from a job just above the dam.

The Louisville Engineer District said the accident took place above the locks and dam, Ohio River Mile 531.5, near its mooring cells.

Those rescued were later transferred to shore by another vessel.

Bellaire Harbor Service commended the crew of the mv. Samuel J. for their “swift and decisive actions.”