An oh-too familiar sight on Avalon’s shores will be retiring from its flying fish excursions and public services sometime in September.
“Blanche W.,” or simply “The Blanche,” which was originally named after William Wrigley’s granddaughter, will see out its last public voyage along the Catalina coast next month because “it’s time to move on,” said Collier Cook, who’s VP of Activities for the Santa Catalina Island Company.
Au revoir Blanche.
An oh-too familiar sight on Avalon’s shores will be retiring from its flying fish excursions and public services sometime in September.
“Blanche W.,” or simply “The Blanche,” which was originally named after William Wrigley’s granddaughter, will see out its last public voyage along the Catalina coast next month because “it’s time to move on,” said Collier Cook, who’s VP of Activities for the Santa Catalina Island Company.
Au revoir Blanche.
After over 90 years servicing various tours, which puts the number of tourists who’ve graced the wooden panels of the Blanche at approximately 1.1 million, time for the boat is drawing to a close.
“It’s a big deal and it’s not a decision that is taken lightly,” said Cook.
Though there isn’t a clear path ahead for the boat, which sits over 80 people, Cook says the “most likely” thing that will happen is The Blanche will stay in the Island company family and be used privately.
So you might catch a glimpse of the unique vessel here and there.
Cook compared stepping onto Blanche akin to opening up a swiss army watch.
Blanche has technology that dates back to World War I and is a spectacle in itself.
The Island Company is offering a 25 percent discounts to locals.
