Now that we’re getting a new tour boat between Southampton and Chantry Island next year, it has to be paid for.
The Marine Heritage Society is wasting no time in raising funds to help pay for the 115 thousand dollar craft.
Heritage member Don Warren says first up is a raffle featuring prizes from wood carver Pat Thorn of Southampton who is a master craftsman.
Warren says they hope to raise two to three thousand dollars on the raffle.
He says it’s one of many fundraisers they will be doing in the future.
Other funds will come from the tour boat operation itself.
Warren says the Marine Heritage Society is providing the 15 thousand down payment for the boat and then will enter a 10-year lease arrangement with the town where they will pay 10 thousand dollar a year.
Warren says the tickets are on sale now at the tour base at the harbour of Southampton.
Tickets are two-dollars each or 3 for five dollars.
The wood carving prizes are on display at the tour base as well.
The new tour boat which remains unamed will be delivered next Spring to replace the Peerless which has been in operation since 2002.
