The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Shuttle boat costs spiked
Trips remain popular; repairs were needed
Needed maintenance and repairs caused a spike in the expenses for the Lorain Port Authority’s shuttle boat operations for the 2018 summer season.
The Lorain Port Authority board considered the 2018 operations for the vessels “Pride of Lorain” and “Lady Charleston” as part of the board’s regular meeting on Dec. 11.
The shuttle boats took in revenues of $32,848 for the 2018 season, less income than $33,306 2017, but more than revenues of $21,446 in 2016.
However, expenses climbed to $39,241 for the summer, up from costs of $30,516 in 2017 and $22,295 in 2016.
There were 2,199 passengers in summer 2018, down from 2,230 in summer 2017 but up from 1,351 two years ago.
The shuttle boats had 195 trips scheduled in 2018, with 18 cancellations for a total number of 177 trips. The year before, there were 167 trips scheduled with 13 canceled.
The river trips are popular -- so much that Port staff said the sightseeing tours have become the top thing to do on the online travel website TripAdvisor.
The Sip & Sway Trips, which allowed passengers to bring their own limited amounts of beer or wine, had 182 passengers, and four of five History Excursions were booked solid, according to Port Authority figures.
This year the Port created riverboat gift cards when an out-of-state buyer wanted to use them as gifts for local residents, said Port Office Manager Kelsey Leyva.
But maintenance added to the expenses this year. Maintenance rose to $12,759 for 2018, more than twice the maintenance costs of $6,114 for summer 2017.
Both boats got new instrument panels and the Lady Charleston’s hull developed barrier blisters, a condition in which water leaks into the hull’s gel coat and corrodes the fiberglass structure.
The vessels are in dry dock for the winter and the Lady Charleston’s hull will be repaired. That work will cost about $3,600 at Beaver Park Marina, said Port Accountant Yvonne Smith.
The transmission of the Lady Charleston also needs repairs, according to the Port.
The good news is that with proper maintenance, the vessels could last another 10 years or longer, said Smith and Executive Director Tom Brown.
The vessels also are safe for passengers. Brown said he is “highly confident” in the vessels going forward and the Port should have lower repair costs in 2019.
“When we put a boat out it’s Coast Guard approved and safe to go,” Brown said.
The Pride of Lorain and Lady Charleston may get new canvas canopies in the spring.
That is more of a cosmetic than safety issue, but the covers are showing their wear, Brown and Smith said.
The Port also hopes to upgrade the public address systems on both boats, Brown said.
In 2015, the Port did an analysis on the cost per trip and the balance of price and passengers needed to push the boats closer to breaking even, said Economic Development Specialist Tiffany McClelland.
In 2018, the Port continued its policy of not cancelling trips due to low ridership, which shows the public that the trip schedule is consistent.