(Above) The Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, poses with Lucia, an 89-foot passenger vessel it built. Among the dignitaries on the raised platform are representatives of Wendella Sightseeing Company, owners of the boat. (Click on image to view larger version.)

4-Jun-15 – Lucia is on her way to Chicago. The 89-foot steel passenger vessel was launched into the Manitowoc River 170 miles north of Chicago in Wisconsin on Wednesday and starts work on the Chicago River on June 19.

Wendella Sightseeing Company, Inc., ordered the new boat. In addition to river cruises, Lucia will take up to 340 passengers at a time on tours of Lake Michigan, along with specialty cruises and private events.

This will be the company’s ninth boat. The previous boat it ordered, the 85-foot Lila, has been in operation since August 1, 2012.

Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, built Lucia. It is the same company that built Chicago’s Classic Lady last year for Mercury Skyline Yacht Charters. Designed by Timothy Graul Marine Design of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Lucia has an enclosed climate-controlled main deck cabin and a black granite bar.

June 14 is when Lucia arrives in the Chicago area, according to Wendella president Michael Borgstrom. After a 12-hour trip from Manitowoc, the boat will be outfitted at the company’s winter shipyard south of Chicago in Dolton, Illinois.

(Above) Christie Harris, the oldest daughter of Wendella president Michael Borgstrom, christens the passenger vessel Lucia on Wednesday.