{"id":39057,"date":"2016-05-10T21:17:31","date_gmt":"2016-05-10T21:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=39057"},"modified":"2016-05-11T08:32:14","modified_gmt":"2016-05-11T08:32:14","slug":"ferryboat-touches-water-first-time-launch-trip-projected-mid-june","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=39057","title":{"rendered":"Ferryboat Touches Water For First Time; Launch Trip Projected For Mid-June"},"content":{"rendered":"

ST. CROIX — Residents, boaters, senators and others gathered at the Salt River Bay Marina today to witness what many believe will usher a new day of affordable travel between St. Croix and St. Thomas, as the QE4 — a $2 million ferryboat designed and owned by local businessman Warren Mosler — was lifted off land by two cranes and placed on water for the first time, after being built at the legendary Gold Coast Yachts<\/a><\/span> here.<\/p>\n

And what a sight it was to behold. Onlookers watched with anticipation as the cranes lifted the boat and, with careful guidance that lasted about 7 minutes, shifted it to sea, hoping that everything would work as planned.<\/p>\n

It did. The scattered crowds at the marina roared with approving cheers. The professionals at Gold Coast Yachts, along with Mr. Mosler, celebrated by taking pictures alongside the boat, while others could be seen drinking champagne. It was a simple victory that was expected to go as planned, but seeing the boat sit on water after years of planning, designing, and construction, relieved Mr. Mosler.<\/p>\n