Coast Guard inspects the Lorena

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Lorena Sternwheeler is a popular attraction here in town so making sure it’s safe for its visitors is imperative.

That’s why the Lorena was taken out of the water this week. Captain Bill Page said this only happens every five years.

“Every five years we’re required by the Coast Guard to bring the boat out of the water so that they can look at the hull of the boat and make sure the hull is in good shape.”

Thursday the Coast Guard began its inspection of the vessel. This inspection is more extensive than the normal yearly inspection. Geoffrey Scibek, an Inspector with the Coast Guard, said the inspection is important because it helps ensure the safety of passengers of the boat.

“What I’m looking for here specifically like today would be the way the hull is being maintained. If it’s having anything that’s changing. If it’s deteriorating in any specific way. We’re also looking at the structural members. As boats get older they tend to wear out and just running through the river they tend to wear out their bottoms and their sides…their hulls basically.”

Typically, the inspection is done in the spring, but Captain Page said they decided to do it in the winter so they would have time to make any repairs without disrupting the touring season. The Lorena will return for rides at the end of May.