>>SOUTHERN INDIANA — There’s no question that the Star’s landing barge, docked near the John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge, is sinking into the Ohio River.
The questions seem to be why is it sinking and who’s responsible for fixing the problem.
The Star vessel itself — a provider of cruises for parties, weddings, receptions and other special events — closed its doors a year ago. It was moved to Utica-based Marine Builders, a company owned by David W. Evanczyk, one of the Star’s former partners.
The cruise ship’s landing barge, which served as the ticketing and reception area, has been sinking into the Ohio River since December.
WHY IS IT SINKING?
Answering the question of why is it sinking depends on who is asked.
According to attorney David Lewis, representing the city, emergency officials were called to investigate the area in late December after being informed that the vessel was listing heavily to one side.
Lewis wasn’t sure if it was the Jeffersonville Police Department or the Jeffersonville Fire Department but, he said, one of the two agencies ordered that power to the barge be turned off because electrical equipment inside was getting ready to be submerged into the Ohio River.
Around that time, city Communications Director LarryThomas said he was unaware of anyone requesting that the power be turned off. This time around, he said, the city administration including the police and fire department would not comment on the matter because the threat of litigation had been implied.
The implied threat of legal action which Thomas referenced was contained in a Jan. 15 letter, wherein Evanczyk told Mayor Tom Galligan that his company, Star of Louisville Inc., intends to hold the city liable for the damage to the boat and costs to salvage it.
“At this time, based on the evidence we have, the sinking and loss to The Star of Louisville Inc., was a direct result of negligence and improper action directed and ordered by the city of Jeffersonville,” Evanczyk wrote.
“We would be glad to review the information we have and request your assistance in determining why the city of Jeffersonville ordered Duke Energy to cut off the electricity, which was the direct cause of the sinking.”
Evanczyk said in a previous interview with The Evening News that when the power was cut, pumps inside the vessel were rendered inoperable.
FEDS: GET IT FIXED
The vessel is docked at a location owned by the city of Jeffersonville’s Department of Redevelopment, according to a letter from Lewis to Evanczyk, demanding the company remove the barge.
The docking area had been leased to the Star from the city for $2,000 per month, but the lease agreement had become a source of dispute between the two entities.
Since 2003, when the Star moved from Louisville toJeffersonville, the city has held a permit from the U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers, which allows the boat to be there.
Attempts to reach Evanczyk for comment on this story were unsuccessful.
A member of the Corps visited the site in January and observed the landing vessel as being partially sunken, abandoned and essentially out of compliance with the permit because of its current state.
According to a letter to the city, dated March 4, the Corps asked Assistant City Engineer Andy Crouch for a timeline for removal or repair of the boat in January. By the date of the letter, that timeline had not been submitted.
“The Corps has formally given them [the city] directives [via the letter] which we expect they will follow,” said Carol Labashosky, with the Corps public affairs’ office. “Mainly, that they have a week or so to give us a plan and timeline for removal or repair of the landing barge.
“We would like to see progress on this issue,” Labashosky said.
According to Lewis, the city has already begun contacting local companies to find out how, and at what costs, it can remove the boat.
