By Josh Resnek
The initiation of a ferry service between several locations along the waterfront in Boston, across the Mystic River and ending at the casino in Everett, marks a major event in the evolution of the Mystic River waterway.
Wynn Resorts LTD has tapped a Charlestown boat builder to construct three water shuttles, sleek but sturdy ferries to move casino goers and anyone else who wishes to explore the distance between the Boston waterfront and Everett once the casino is up and running.
This is historic in every way.
This will allow tourists from all over the nation to take advantage of the near $100 million of improvements made by Wynn Resorts to the environment in and around the casino/hotel and especially to the shorefront where the project is situated.
By doing so, the Wynn Resorts shuttle becomes only the second or third ferry service in Boston Harbor history connecting north and south in the past 300 years!
In fact, connecting Boston with Everett by water born ferry service is a rst for Everett. Reclaiming the mucked up, polluted area in front of the sprawling hotel and casino now rising was a major component in offering ferry service as a follow-up.
The three European style low pro le motor yachts will be 41 feet long, will cost $3 million to build, and will accommodate 40 passengers each.
The water shuttle/ferry will run daily from the Everett Encore gaming resort to stops in Boston’s Seaport and Financial districts, though specific locations, fares and schedule have not been announced.
Early reports from the company indicate it is likely to be a 24/7 ferry operating everyday and night of the year.
Robert DeSalvio, president of Encore Boston Harbor, which is being developed by Wynn (Nasdaq: WYNN), said in a statement that the yachts would transform a “stressful and frustrating commute into a luxurious and relaxing experience.”
“The Encore Water Shuttle could revolutionize the use of Boston Harbor as a preferred and popular commuter pathway,” DeSalvio said in a statement. “Imagine boarding a shuttle at the Seaport and Financial Districts in Boston and docking at our resort in Everett in 20 minutes, rain or shine, with a guarantee of no traffic or parking issues.”
Mr. DeSalvio, in this instance, knows of what he speaks.
Moving people by ferry instead of those folks traveling by car to the casino/hotel project here is the way to go.
The Chelsea Ferry ran continuously between Chelsea and Charlestown from 1634 to 1938.
During the late 1980’s, a ferry service from Chelsea to Boston was instituted by private investors but failed within six months.