Hundreds safe after showboat grounded

BRANSON, Mo. -- More than 600 passengers and crew members of a Branson showboat are safely off the vessel after spending the night aboard the boat, which became grounded because of high winds and choppy water.

There were no injuries after the Branson Belle's captain decided it was safer to stay wrenched against the shore than try to guide the boat to its dock just across the channel on Table Rock Lake.

Herschend Family Entertainment spokeswoman Lisa Rau said the cruise departed at 4 p.m. Saturday and began experiencing problems two hours later when the winds picked up.

Rau said nine people were evacuated from the boat overnight, including four with pre-existing medical conditions and members of their families.

She said passengers were upbeat as they began disembarking around 9 a.m. Sunday.