High water and petty vandalism has made it a rough season for the Pelican Breeze, but board members are confident they will be able to make up for time lost and continue improving the non-profit cruise boat.

Thursday, July 05, 2001

High water and petty vandalism has made it a rough season for the Pelican Breeze, but board members are confident they will be able to make up for time lost and continue improving the non-profit cruise boat.

The boat had only been out twice this season before heavy rains made Albert Lea Lake too high to cruise, said board president Pete Phelps. The cruises were suspended for about a month while organizers waited for the lake to return to normal.

Meanwhile, vandals broke a panel out of a bathroom door, a seemingly yearly problem, Phelps said.

But the late start and damage didn’t sink board members’ spirits, he said. Phelps replaced the panel in the door. He also donated a depth finder and a weather radio for safety. Board members got donations for new seats and carpet.

&uot;We try to update it a little every year,&uot; he said.

Next year they will rebuild the cabinets and bathroom, probably put a roof over the captain’s area, update the top floor railings and add new lighting, he said.

Board members hope to run Pelican Breeze cruises longer this season to make up for lost revenue this spring. Phelps said he would like to see the boat cruise into the first week of October, but the season will depend on the weather.

The Pelican Breeze runs three regular cruises a week: A Friday night pizza cruise, and narrated cruises Saturday and Sunday afternoons. They also charter for clubs, groups, and special occasions.

The cruise is a non-profit venture designed to promote tourism in the area, Phelps said.

&uot;We draw a lot of bus loads from other towns,&uot; Phelps said. &uot;This is the largest lake between here and Texas.&uot;

Narrators tell of the history of the lake, from Native American camps to the Chicken Shack restaurant on the south shore, he said.

The group also organizes special cruises, like the Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise, or nature cruises narrated by local celebrity Al Batt.

For more information about the Pelican Breeze, or to make a reservation, call 377-5076.