A new tour boat will be plying the waters between Southampton and Chantry Island next summer.
Saugeen Shores Council has approved the purchase of a new boat to replace the Peerless.
Councillor and Marine Heritage Society Crew Member Diane Huber says the Peerless has served them well but it’s time for a replacement.
It’s been running the Chantry Island tours since they started in 2002 and before that it was the Southampton water rescue boat.
Huber says the new tour boat will be lighter which will make it easier for the volunteer crew to handle.
It will also provide more sheltered areas for passengers, with lots of windows to see the view.
Huber says they will be able to accommodate 9 passengers and 3 crew per tour.
That’s because the island is designated a national bird sanctuary and a limited number of visitors are allowed at one time.
Huber says the town will purchase the boat from Bridge Yachts Ltd. in Port Dover for just under 115 thousand dollars.
The Marine Heritage Society will provide a down payment of just under 15 thousand dollars.
The society will also enter into a lease with the town for 10 thousand dollars per year for 10 years, but the town will remain the owner of the boat.
The new tour boat – which has yet to be named – will be delivered next April.
