Moraine's new tour boat to launch Memorial Day weekend
A double-decker tour boat will begin cruising the water at Moraine State Park on Memorial Day weekend, but one of the biggest reveals about the ship is yet to come.
The Moraine Preservation Fund and the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau conducted a naming contest for the new vessel that more than 1,000 people participated in.
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.
“There were really some nice names, but really one stood out above the rest,” said Jack Cohen, tourism bureau president.
Members of the Moraine Preservation Fund tested the boat in October. The nonprofit's president, Dave Murray, said its maiden passenger voyage is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
The group ordered the boat almost four years ago, but its delivery was delayed until last year, when the coronavirus pandemic restrictions stopped planned tours.
Murray said the preservation group has new ideas it wants to implement with the new boat, such as giving brunch tours and bringing lecturers and musicians on board to entertain and educate passengers.
“Our effort is to do new things for people to experience the park in different ways,” he said. “Our basic outreach is environmental education, and our scheduled cruises all take care of that.”
Murray said the group decided to order the boat after its long-standing cruiser, the Nautical Nature, began costing more to repair. The organization used money from its budget, fundraising campaigns and loans to pay for a new boat, which Murray said can fit more passengers.
“We're going to start operating a passenger capacity of about 40-plus,” Murray said. “It's got an enclosed cabin on bottom and an open deck upstairs where people can walk around.”
Once launched, the boat will be maintained by the fund, and its staff members and volunteers will run the educational tours.
Admission will be $15 for adults, $8 for children ages 3-12 and $13 for military personnel and seniors age 62 and older. The cost to charter the boat for 90 minutes will be $250 and $100 for each additional 30 minutes. Ticket information will be released on the organization's website before Memorial Day weekend.
Dustin Drew, manager of Moraine State Park, said the new tour boat will be a good attraction for park visitors because it will allow them to see the lake and the surrounding area from a different angle.
“We support it from the park's perspective because it brings people out and educates folks about the park,” Drew said.
Cohen said he thinks the increased attendance at state parks last year will continue into this year, and the new boat could increase traffic to Moraine even more.
“It's just a phenomenal opportunity for getting out,” Cohen said. “They're going to be very busy with the boat.”
