12-Jun-13 – (Above) Don Welsh, president and CEO of Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization, lets it rip Friday morning, christening with a bottle of champagne a new boat on the Chicago River.

Riverview is Shoreline Sightseeing’s 18th boat and its first new boat since 2006. Like Voyageur, it is a custom-built barge but unlike Voyageur they have created more room for passengers by eliminating extravagant accessories such as an engine. A tugboat, Iron Stan, propels the barge.

“As you start thinking about the assets that we have as a city,” said Welsh, “clearly this river and our water is something that we talk about to the world about how great this is.”

From a low of 39 million visitors to Chicago in 2009, last year there were 46.2 million visitors and the city is pulling out all the stops to meet Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s goal of 50 million visitors by 2020.

“When they come here, one of the first things they want to do is get on the river. And they want to see the architectural aspect of the city from the water.”

From Shoreline’s dock near Michigan Avenue, Riverview can take 280 passengers at a time on a tour of the Chicago River. According to Shoreline, it takes less fuel to push the barge with the tug than if the barge was self-propelled. Without an engine, passengers hear and feel less vibration. Strategically placed cameras on Riverview allow the captain of the tug to see in all directions and safely steer the boat. The money Riverview makes on its first day will be donated to Misericordia, a home to more than 600 adults and children with developmental and physical disabilities. (Left) Riverview clears the State Street Bridge near Marina City. Click on images to view larger versions.