The Marine Heritage Society is looking to replace its Chantry Island Tour boat.
Chair Larry LePage came to Saugeen Shores Council last night asking the Town for a 102 thousand dollar interest-free loan to replace its 32-year-old tour boat “Peerless”.
The cost of the boat is 115 thousand dollars.
LePage says the MHS would pay a thirteen thousand dollar down payment – the remaining 102 thousand then covered through the loan.
LePage delivered a presentation to Council covering what the loan will be used for and how the MHS will repay the loan.
He says the plan is to repay the loan within a maximum of twelve years.
The cost of the boat is 115 thousand dollars – the MHS would pay the thirteen thousand dollar down payment on its own, with the 102 thousand dollars covering the remainder of the cost
LePage says with the way fuel prices are at right now, the current boat is expensive to run and maintain.
He says in order to keep themselves in business, they need to find a new boat that costs less to operate and maintain and will give the same level of service.
LePage says the boat they will be getting is a 27-foot-long aluminium boat.
He says the boat will be built by a Parry Sound area company called Stanley Aluminium Boats.
He says they chose this company because the boats they build are to Canadian Coast Guard standards and it is critical that they get a boat with those standards.
As for the old boat, LePage says the Coast Guard Auxiliary has expressed interest in using the vessel as a rescue boat.
He says the boat was originally a rescue boat and can take the pounding that their old fibreglass boat can’t take.
He adds the boat will be ideal as it will be used for emergencies and won’t be used as often.
LePage expects the new boat will be ready by the middle of June.
Mayor Mike Smith says Council will have a decision on the loan at their next meeting.