Colonial Belle back in action after ‘tampered fuel valve’ left dozens stranded on the Erie Canal

FAIRPORT, N.Y. (WROC) — The Colonial Belle, a decades-old Fairport staple, has resumed tours on the Erie Canal after it stopped due to a mechanical issue Tuesday. It left a total of 59 people on the boat stranded on the canal for hours.

Officials said they received final approval from the U.S. Coast Guard inspector to resume tours Thursday.

Previously, the tour boat’s captain confirmed to News 8 that an unknown person turned off one of the fuel valves connected to one of the fuel tanks on board. The captain says it caused one tank to drain beyond a normal level, eventually causing the vessel to lose power to the generator followed by the main engine.

With credit to bystanders, a collection of gasoline allowed crews to add more fuel to the tank and regenerate power to the boat.

The tour then continued down the Erie Canal, until the boat lost power a second time after taking on debris likely from the lower part of the fuel tank.

In a Facebook post Friday, the Colonial Belle staff thanked first responders and bystanders for their assistance. Staff have also issued full refunds to passengers aboard Tuesday’s cruise.

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