New VNP tour boat arrives in Borderland
Voyageur National Park’s new Rainy Lake tour boat, the “Voyageur” arrived in International Falls Thursday where it was delivered in two parts to Rainy Lake Houseboats.
Arriving from the west, the bottom section of the 49-passenger boat traveled down Truck Route 332 on a gigantic trailer pulled by a semi-truck, which boasted the words “Delivering Dreams.” The top deck, which will be reattached to the bottom of the sight-seer, arrived later.
Driver for Associated Boat Transport of Marysville, Wash., Frank McAtee said that his journey with the boat was uneventful and that the tractor-trailer was able to maximize speed limits on the highway. McAtee delivers large boats all over the United States.
“Most of the hard work is done after I leave,” said McAtee as he released the heavy strapping which secured the boat.
Contracted for construction by Armstrong Marine, Inc., with twin 600-horsepower Cummins diesel engines, tunnel drive and bow thrusters, the boat will run on biodiesel fuel.
The top deck and bottom of the craft will be rejoined by the Dougherty family with contractors, and will then be launched into Rainy Lake by crane.
A community celebration is planned by the park in late September, after which the boat will be winterized and stored until next spring.
