Will boats be allowed on the Milwaukee River during the RNC? What about Edelweiss boat tours?
The boundaries of the restricted security perimeter for the July 15-18 Republican National Convention in downtown Milwaukee were announced Friday and include a portion of the Milwaukee River. Here's what to know.
Will boats be allowed on the Milwaukee River during the RNC?
From July 14-19, no commercial or recreational boats will be allowed on the Milwaukee River from Cherry Street to Michigan Street, and road bridges in this area will remain down during the convention.
Boat owners don't have to go through pedestrian screening to access private vessels docked on the river.
Private vessels in the maritime security zone may leave and return on the river as long as their boats don't require the bridges to be raised. Before departure and re-entry, owners must contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 to request an escort.
Vessels returning to the maritime security zone to be docked will be subject to screening.
Will Edelweiss and other tour boats be running during the RNC?
Edelweiss Cruises, which operates a variety of public and private boat tours on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan, will be moving its largest vessel, the Harbor Lady, to Port Washington during the RNC. According to Edelweiss' website, the cruise company is offering a Port Washington Sightseeing Cruise twice daily July 13 through 18.
The cruise, a partnership with Visit Port Washington, departs from the Port Washington Harbor and is narrated by an onboard representative from the Port Washington Historical Society. Cruises depart at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Edelweiss will offer no Milwaukee cruises from July 14 to 18; normal operations will resume on July 19.
Edelweiss is, however, offering dockside rentals of its two other vessels, the Miss Wisconsin and Edelweiss II, to RNC groups in Milwaukee, said Lindsay Paar Schwegler, director of operations and special events coordinator at Edelweiss Cruises.
"This would mean that the boat would not be able to move, but groups could stay dockside and enjoy a venue in extreme close proximity to the Fiserv Forum," Schwegler said. "We have yet to garner any interest in this option."
Milwaukee Paddle Tavern, which offers 14-person pedal boat tours and duffy boat rentals, will not operate out of its docks behind the Harp Irish Pub on Juneau Avenue between July 13 and 19. The company said it plans to operate tours and rentals from its docks at Boone & Crockett on the Kinnickinnic River during these dates.
Other boat tour companies, including Milwaukee Boat Line and Riverwalk Boat Tours, do not have tours available during the RNC. According to their websites, Milwaukee Boat Line is not operating tours from July 15 through 18, and Riverwalk will not offer tours or rentals from July 14 through 19.
Will kayak and paddleboard rentals be available during the RNC?
Small watercraft rental companies, including Cream City Boats and Milwaukee Kayak Company, will not be able to launch boats on the Milwaukee River during the RNC. Milwaukee Kayak Company told the Journal Sentinel that boaters will be able to launch from locations on the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers.
More: Boat companies say Milwaukee River through downtown to be shut down during RNC
More: Here's which streets will be closed during the Republican National Convention and when
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Will boats be allowed on the Milwaukee River during the RNC?
