Marine City River Boat leaving town for Chicago

Fewer than two months since tours begin, the two-decker Marine City River Boat “Friendship” is closing up shop.

The boat has been docked at the LaBuhn Bridge in Marine City since this spring after local resident and owner Paul Gallas brought it up from its previous home on the Clinton River in Mount Clemens. He had plans to host private events and public tours this summer and into the early fall along the St. Clair River.

However, Gallas announced Thursday night he was taking a purchase offer from a buyer who plans to use it as an architectural tour boat in Chicago.

He did not say how much the offer was or when the boat will be leaving Michigan waters.

“I feel like I’m kind of dropping a ball,” Gallas said during public comment at Thursday’s City Commission meeting. “But I just feel like when I’m ready two years from now to retire I may not have the option.”

Gallas did not immediately respond to a call for follow-up comment early Friday.

There was also no answer at the river boat’s regular number, though a voice message stated the 2021 public tour season has been completed and that they were “unable to book any private events” in the future.

Originally, Gallas and the Friendship’s cruise director, Rachel Slupe, had said they planned to offer public cruises through the end of September and an option for private events through October before returning next year in May.

On Thursday, Gallas told Marine City officials that “one month into the new venture,” he was approached by a Chicago buyer who told him, “Paul, I really need your boat,” after he declined an initial offer.

He previously joked about coming out of retirement to invest in Marine City with a tour operation after moving to the area within the last couple of years. Then, once he spoke with his wife, he said he thought it may be his best chance to retire again at the age of 65.

“That’s basically the decision I’ve made,” Gallas said, adding he’d like to help to continue to invest in the area, particularly with a venture on the water, “if it’s at all humanly possible.”

That latter option could be the small boat he owns and has used as an office for the Friendship on the Belle River. Although it doesn’t have the same U.S. Coast Guard approvals as the river boat, he said the six-passenger vessel could be used for something else in the future.

“I’d like to consider that option,” Gallas said.

The city gave Gallas the approvals to dock along Marine City property this spring.

Mayor Cheryl Vercammen, who advocated for the potential youth educational component to boat tours, said in a message Friday it was "sad to see him go" but that she understood Gallas' "desire for retirement."

She hoped to "get another similar boat for next season."

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.