- The Chautauqua Belle (courtesy of www.facebook.com/ChautauquaBelle)
MAYVILLE – The most famous vessel on Chautauqua Lake ran into a problem over the weekend that resulted in more than 70 passengers having to be rescued.
Early Saturday night at about 6:20 p.m., the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office received a call that the Chautauqua Belle had run a ground about 100 yards off shore near the area of 6029 Gull Rd. Mayville.
Sheriff Deputies arrived on scene and began assisting a citizen who was operating a pontoon boat evacuating passengers from the Chautauqua Belle.
Fire departments from Chautauqua, Mayville, Dewittville, Bemus Point and Ashville were all called in to assist at the scene, along with the Chautauqua County Water Emergency Team.
There were no injuries reported to Deputies.
Investigators say the vessel had run a ground due to strong winds and rough water. There was believed to be 74 passengers on board for a wedding cruise. The investigation is continued.
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