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venture is successful. The cruise routes are also undetermined, but traveling under the Mackinac Bridge and around Mackinac Island are strong possibilities.

She added that the ship is licensed to carry 80 passengers and tickets for the cruises will be $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. “We’re also looking at other discounts,” she said.

There will also be time for visitors to tour the ship in groups while it is docked, either in the early mornings, possibly the evenings, or on days when weather conditions make sailing prohibitive.

The cruises and tours will have educational components, with maritime history and sail training principals being presented and hands-on experiences offered.

“Anyone who wants to help raise the sail and assist in running the boat will be able to do so,” said Mrs. Kidder. “It’s a huge vessel and it takes a lot of people to sail it. We’re also going to collaborate with the nature conservancy and other groups down there so we can collect information to present to people concerning the Great Lakes and the area where they will be sailing.”

Mr. Swope said the project originally was to be run through the Chamber of Commerce, but with formation of the private corporation, the only municipal aspects of the operation will be the lease and some advertising support through the Visitors Bureau.

The corporation includes Jack Swope, retired businessman and David Swope’s father; Tim Harrington, owner of Best Western - Harbor Point; Mark Sposito, owner of Mackinac Grille restaurant; Mike Doud, owner of Quality Inn Lakefront; David (son) and Robert (father) Goldthorpe, owners of Quality Inn St. Ignace and Big Boy restaurant; Howard Cole, owner of Days Inn St. Ignace. It will be responsible for advertising, signage, and housing the crew.

“These guys are giving to the community,” said Mr. Swope. “Most of any revenue we generate will stay in our fund. Our intent is to keep this corporation going, and to do more things for this town in the future.

“This probably would not have been a reality without Bob Schafer’s idea,” he added, referring to the owner of Mackinac Tall Ship Company, who has been working on plans to build and sail tall ships and a museum. “He provided a spark.”

Mr. Swope was a supporter of Mr. Schafer’s original plans, but said in February that things weren’t moving as fast as he’d hoped to get a ship here this summer, so he formed the group to get it done.

Mr. Schafer had been interested in obtaining the ship last winter himself, but later called some aspects of it “unsafe.” Mr. Swope and the school has made assurances then and continue to say there are no problems with any aspect of the operation.

“Ever since we began to rebuild the ship, we’ve worked arm-in-arm with the Coast Guard,” said Mrs. Kidder. “We’ve jumped through all of their hoops. It’s in our best interest to be safe and we couldn’t conduct business unless we passed inspection. The ship is well-equipped to do this.”