Deltaville Maritime Museum Offers "Discovery Cruises"
Expanding their offerings to museum members to experience both the past and living maritime history of the Chesapeake Bay, the Deltaville Maritime Museum is continuing to offer cruises aboard the recently acquired Deltaville built oyster tonging boat named Cooper Hill beginning in April 2012.
These scheduled Discovery Cruises will coincide with the monthly Farmers Market on the 4th Saturday of each month from April through November 2012, including the Pier Walk Promenade. Cruises will also be offered on the Saturday of Family Boat Building Week) in July, the Saturday of the Annual Membership Meeting in September, and at the Art & Seafood Festival, October 2012. Discovery cruises will begin at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. & 3 p.m., with check-in time 30 minutes before boarding. The cruises will be conducted on Deltaville's beautiful and historic Jackson Creek.
The Cooper Hill was built by Robert Dudley in 1959 on Jackson Creek and was used as a commercial oyster tonging boat for many years. She is wood round-stern open deadrise with a length of 32.5', a beam of 9.7', a draft of 3' and is powered by a single 453 Detroit Diesel.
The hour-long Discovery Cruises will be offered free of charge to Deltaville Maritime Museum members and potential museum members, to let them enjoy an on the water experience aboard an classic vintage Chesapeake Bay workboat. Discovery Cruises will include Mill Creek, Jackson Creek, and the Piankatank River. Hopefully, this experience will encourage passengers to join the Deltaville Maritime Museum to enjoy the advantages of museum membership and to participate in the museums many programs.
The Cooper Hill will be also available for private charters, under the following guidelines: Charters can accomodate up to 6 passengers during daylight hours only. The cruising areas will be Jackson Creek and the Piankatank River depending on the weather. Food and beverages if required will be the responsibility of the passengers. We cannot accomodate fishing charters. The private charter rate is $100/hour with a 2-hour minimum with all proceeds going to the Deltaville Maritime Museum. The charter rate will include the exclusive use of the Cooper Hill, a Coast Guard licensed captain and fuel. Please call Captain Pete Cardozo 804 238-2036 to discuss your private charter plans for birthdays, anniversaries, or whatever special event you may want.
For Discovery Cruises or private charters information and reservations, please call the Deltaville Maritime Museum at 804 776-7200 or Captain Pete Cardozo at 804 238-2036. All you need to bring is your Deltaville Maritime Museum membership card, your spirit of adventure and your desire to relax and enjoy an informative scenic cruise aboard a classic Chesapeake Bay workboat.