Coast Guard

Runaway Boats Take Off Down Hudson River, Smashing Into Riverbanks, Bridges

What to Know

  • Seven boats broke free from their moorings and floated down the Hudson River from Albany Friday morning
  • Rising water and ice jams helped the boats free their moorings
  • One of the boats, a 300-foot cruise ship, hit a span in Troy before becoming stuck under a bridge

An unoccupied Hudson River cruise ship broke loose from its moorings amid rising water and ice jams, floated slowly downriver and got jammed under a rail bridge in Albany, creating a major mess and snarling traffic.

The four-deck Captain J.P. III cruise ship and six other vessels drifted from Troy downriver toward Albany early Friday morning, temporarily closing five vehicle bridges and snarling rush-hour traffic.

Officials say the 300-foot cruise vessel hit a span in Troy before becoming stuck under a bridge connecting Albany and Rensselaer. Amtrak says it's using the bridge under "restricted speeds."

Two Coast Guard ice-breaking cutters and two commercial tug boats are headed to the scene to pull the ship free.

No injuries have been reported.

The Coast Guard says two barges were secured.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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