Police seek owner of boat floating near Ledbetter Bridge

Thursday morning, the McCracken County Sheriff's Office was called about a boat drifting upside down in the Tennessee River below the Ledbetter Bridge. 

The sheriff's office was assisted by employees and equipment from James Marine. With their help, the boat was brought ashore. An examination of the boat determined that the motor and the VIN number had been removed intentionally.

The sheriff's office describes the boat as an older model fishing boat. They did not reveal the manufacturer, but did say it was two-tone in color. 

If the boat is yours or if you have information, contact the McCracken County Sheriff's Office 




Below are the previous updates of the story...
UPDATE:

Law enforcement and water rescue teams are leaving the scene where a bass boat was found floating upside down this morning on the Tennessee River between Paducah and Ledbetter.

There is apparently no evidence that a person was operating the boat, and it may be more likely the boat just floated off of a bank in the rising river waters.

A flatbed tow truck is loading the boat for transport and impounding.

Traffic is also cleared from the Ledbetter Bridge where some onlookers had stopped earlier.


ORIGINAL STORY:

A water search may be implemented this morning near the Ledbetter Bridge after a bass boat was spotted floating upside down in the Tennessee River.

A motorist driving across the US 60 bridge noticed the approximately 18-foot bass boat and notified authorities.

Employees from James Marine retrieved the boat and found no one in or near it. A determination will be made whether a water search should begin, or if the boat was simply unoccupied and floated off the bank in rising waters.

Onlookers were reportedly causing a traffic problem by stopping on the bridge. Police ask that drivers continue across the bridge and avoid causing problems for officials trying to access the scene.