LORAIN — Several dozen members of the media and politicians from Lorain and around Lorain County were aboard this morning for the maiden voyage of Jet Express IV.
U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, who helped cut the ribbon for the new boat, said it was “a day of great potential here in Lorain.”
The Jet Express is one more answer to a question our region has been asking for a while, she said: “What can we do to better take advantage of this great asset we have here in Lake Erie?”
Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko stressed that the arrival of the Jet Express is part of a waterfront effort that began two decades ago if not longer with the removal of the pellet terminal, the creation of Black River Landing, cleanup of the Black River and revitalization of Broadway.
He said the Jet Express is not just for Lorain but will be “a regional draw” and thanked mayors and city managers in attendance from cities around the county.
Lorain Port Authority Executive Director Rick Novak has worked for more than a year to bring the Jet Express.
“This is a day of accomplishment and also a day of opportunity for all of us on Lorain’s north coast,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton and Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko are among those who helped cut the ribbon this morning as Jet Express IV was launched. (Photo by Rona Proudfoot, The Chronicle-Telegram.)
Jet Express IV’s maiden voyage wasn’t to the islands, where it will head Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting tomorrow, but out Lorain harbor and down the coast of Lake Erie on the city’s East Side. The boat turned around near the Avon Lake power plant and returned.
Read Friday’s Chronicle for more on the Jet Express, and check back at Chroniclet.com for a video of the boat ride once it becomes available.
According to the Jet Express Web site:
The Jet Express will offer a narrated day-trip cruise to Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The boat will depart Lorain at 9:45 a.m. and depart Put-in-Bay at 7:30 p.m. and Kelleys Island at 7:50 p.m. each day.
The cruise to Kelleys Island is approximately 29 miles long, will take around 45 minutes, feature a narrated cruise and cost $26 each way for adults, $5 each way for kids 6 to 12 and will be free for kids 5 and under.
The cruise to Put-in-Bay is approximately 37 miles long, will take around an hour, feature a narrated cruise and cost $29 each way for adults, $6 each way for kids 6 to 12 and will be free for kids 5 and under.
Tickets are available onboard the Jet Express IV at the Black River Landing in Lorain or at any Jet Express ticket office (Port Clinton, Sandusky, Kelleys Island & Put-in-Bay). More information can be found on the Jet Express Web site or by calling 1-800-245-1538.
Contact Rona Proudfoot at 329-7124 or rproudfoot@chroniclet.com.
The Jet Expresss IV. (Photo by Rona Proudfoot, The Chronicle-Telegram.)
