Under a sunny sky Thursday morning, the Moraine Preservation Fund revealed the name of its new pontoon boat, Preston's Pearl.

Under a sunny sky Thursday morning, the Moraine Preservation Fund revealed the name of its new pontoon boat, “Preston's Pearl.”

The Moraine Preservation Fund and the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau conducted a naming contest for the new vessel, in which more than 1,000 people participated in.

When Shannon Williams, of Butler, got the call that her name submission won the contest, she thought it was a joke. However, she was excited to have her idea used as a feature of Moraine because of her personal appreciation of the park.

“I have three boys, and we did spend quite some time out here fishing,” Williams said. “It was always a good place to expel some energy.”

Interest was high for the boat-naming contest, not only because the winner would get a private cruise for 30 people, but also because the boat likely will be a staple of Moraine for decades.

Williams said she was inspired by Frank W. Preston, who played a role in conserving and reclaiming the land that would go on to become Moraine State Park.

Her other inspiration was the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series.

“I was thinking of Frank Preston,” she said. “And the Pirates of the Caribbean for 'Pearl.' That's how it came to be.”

The maiden passenger voyage of Preston's Pearl is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.

The group ordered the boat about four years ago, but its delivery was delayed until last year because of coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

This is a breaking news report — read more in Friday's Butler Eagle.