SALEM, Ore. -- A popular tourist paddleboat ran aground in the Willamette River near Salem on Sunday, forcing the Coast Guard and Polk County deputies to rescue the sternwheeler's 22 passengers.

Authorities received a call for help at about 7 p.m., said Dean Bender of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, while the Willamette Queen Sternwheeler was on its regular Sunday cruise.

Bender said the boat didn't have enough power to navigate the Willamette River's heavy currents near Mclain Island and the captain reported the boat might have also hit the river bottom.

When the crew realized they didn't have enough power to get back to the dock at the park, deputies said they tried to anchor, but the current was too strong and one of the anchors snapped.

"They said the anchor is gone and I said, 'What do you mean the anchor is gone?'" said Jess Von Berckefeldt, the ship's engineer. "Inside, I was a wreck. I have people I'm responsible for and I have a boat out of control on the river."

River patrol deputies told the captain to beach the boat on a nearby island and to tie the other anchor to a tree.

Rescuers arrived and transported the passengers and crew members to the park. Deputies said no one was injured.

As a commercial vessel, the Willamette Queen Sternwheeler is required to report the grounding to the Coast Guard. The boat has broken down before, deputies said, and has had to be towed back.

Another boat pushed the Willamette Queen back to its dock Monday night.

Coast Guard officials said there were no pollution problems. They are still investigating the incident.

"You have a situation (and) you make your decisions," said Capt. Jerry McLain. "And if they work out, you're a hero and if they don't, you're a bum."

Mclain said he hopes passengers receive a free cruise when the boat is running again.

Sternwheeler Runs Aground In Willamette River