SALEM, Ore. — A sternwheeler paddleboat doing Willamette River cruises from Salem is back in the water, but its owners say it won’t be open for business until June.
The Salem Statesman Journal reports that the Willamette Queen was back in the river Monday evening following a six-week dry dock inspection process.
The Coast Guard says co-owner Richard Chesbrough also voluntarily turned over his operational license in February because the Coast Guard filed several misconduct and negligence charges against him in 2011 and 2012.
Chesbrough’s wife and the boat’s co-owner, Barbara Chesbrough, says Richard will continue operating the vessel even though his license is suspended until the end of June.
She says they will just be required to have a licensed captain on board during that time.
