Edmonton Riverboat experiences mechanical issue during Mother’s Day cruise

The Edmonton River Boat is docked and waiting for repairs after a mechanical failure on Mother's Day left 200 passengers stranded.

A mechanical issue disrupted the Edmonton Riverboat’s fourth and final Mother’s Day cruise Sunday afternoon.

Owner Eric Warnke believes the boat’s port paddlewheel hydraulic pump failed.

“We did not lose all propulsion as we still had our starboard (right) paddle wheel, but with an abundance of caution our captain made the call to gently beach the riverboat and called for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services to help shuttle passengers back to shore,” he said in a statement.

The cruise was scheduled to end at 4 p.m.; all guests were brought to shore by 7 p.m.

With jetboats guiding its course, the boat drifted back to Rafter’s Landing by 9:30 p.m.

Warnke said he is hopeful replacement parts arrive in time for the issue to be fixed before the boat’s next event on Thursday.

The boat’s season started May 7.