CANTON, Ky. — The American Jazz, a small American Cruise Lines riverboat, got stuck on a sandbar in the Cumberland River Wednesday, July 7. Officials said there's no damage to the riverboat, and all passengers safely exited the vessel Saturday morning.

On Friday morning, the cruise line said in an email to Spectrum News 1 that efforts to remove the boat are taking longer than expected. The company worked with the Coast Guard to disembark the passengers and get them to Nashville, Tennessee, where they're taking part in previously scheduled shore excursions.

The cruise line reiterrated there was no damage to the vessel and there is no pollution caused by the boat being stuck.

John Nolan, the prevention department head at Paducah's Marine Safety Unit, said Friday evening that the crew members and passengers would remain on board as crews work to pull the boat free, determining that to be the safest option.

"We had investigators on board yesterday and we are still working with the company to determine how this occurred, but to have a definitive answer we dont have that at this time," Nolan said. "I can assure you the United States Coast Guard and the cruise line are working together to make this process as speedy as possible to get everybody back underway and get the vessil clear and to get the people to they next destination safely."

The Louisville Coast Guard was notified at 8 a.m. Thursday and the event happened at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

There are 120 passengers and 54 crew members on board. The American Jazz is a small modern riverboat capable of accommodating up to 190 passengers.

Louisville Coast Guard's Lt. Emmons said tugs have been called in to assist. The Coast Guard also deployed a 29-foot response board to closely monitor the situation.

Alexa Paolella, public relations manager for American Cruise Lines, provided the following statement to Spectrum News 1:

"The American Jazz is currently being assisted off a sandbar in Lake Barkley. There is no damage to the small riverboat, and both guests and crew aboard have been informed of the temporary delay. American Cruise Lines is taking all appropriate steps with authorities while local service providers assist the ship. American Jazz is following a seven night Music Cities Cruise from Memphis to Nashville and the cruise is expected to resume with a few adjustments to the normal schedule."

Emmons said American Cruise Lines will need to submit a salvage plan (an extensive plan that guarantees the safety of passengers, the environment and the vessel) to Coast Guard officials before any work can be done. Salvage plan simply means resolve the situation in Coast Guard terms, not cut up the vessel.