Hub Staff

A private tour boat will make berth at the Port Elgin Harbour for excursions on Lake Huron beginning weekends in May and throughout the summer months; with hours on the water through September. The boat, operated by Captain Mike Brill, will hold 12 passengers and three crew members, with excursions lasting between one and two hours on the lake.

In an information report to Saugeen Shores Council May 8, Director of Community Services Jayne Jagelewski reported that Brill, who is governed by Transport Canada, has been a Captain since 2009, is ranked as Master 600 Limited (commercial vessels up to 60 tons, approximately 100 feet) and has captained boats in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River, Niagara River, Ottawa River and Thames River.

Fees and Charges By-law will provide a commercial vessel rate and third party liability insurance naming the Town of Saugeen Shores will be provided prior to operations commencing. Jagelewski said the excursion boat could “bring back nostalgia” to residents who remember such a service occurring in the history of the Port Elgin Harbour.

“It provides an opportunity not only for visitors of Saugeen Shores to experience what it’s like to be out on a boat, because many people haven’t experienced that; but also some of our local residents who’ve never been on a boat before to see the perspective of coming into Port Elgin via the Harbour,” said Jagelewski, adding it’s “certainly an experience in itself.”