Half-sunk 54-foot pleasure boat remains in Detroit River after 20 people rescued

DETROIT (WWJ) -- A partially sunken pleasure boat is still sitting in the Detroit River, after nearly two dozen people were rescued over the July 4th holiday weekend.

As of Thursday morning, the vessel was resting on the riverbed in the northeastern portion of Scott Middle Ground and is partially submerged.

Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard are warning boaters to stay away from it.

WWJ's Mike Campbell reports there were around 20 people on the 54-foot boat when it got stuck on Sunday, July 7. The vessel ran aground on a shoal area, began sinking, and everyone aboard had to be rescued.

Questions remain about what exactly happened.

"The story was the boat was taking on water, and the skipper may have put it there so people could get off," Campbell said. "Others say it hit that shoal area, and people had to be flown off. In any event, the boat's still there, half-sunk, listing to starboard."

The boat is situated between Belle Isle and mainland Detroit, in the area of Indian Village and Erma Henderson Park, and can be see from Belle Isle. "It's kind of across from the Detroit Yacht Club really," Campbell said. "I'm on Belle Isle beach, and it's directly off Belle Isle beach, about halfway into the river."

"I can't read the name. There's a report that it's called 'The Risk Taker,' ironically enough," Campbell added. "Haven't been able to confirm that."

The Coast Guard also said it is working with the vessel's owner to ensure its safe removal.