Northumberland, PA — The Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society (CSRS) is pleased to share an update on the progress of its long-anticipated riverboat project. For several years, the organization has worked toward bringing a riverboat experience to the region, similar to successful vessels such as the Hiawatha in Williamsport and the Pride in Harrisburg. Once completed, the new riverboat will serve as a key link in a chain of riverboats forming a riverboat trail of the Central Susquehanna River Valley. This will allow passengers to experience multiple scenic locations along the Susquehanna River from Williamsport to Harrisburg.

The riverboat is currently under construction in Leesburg, New Jersey, where the hull is nearing completion. Once finished, the hull will be transported to a staging area in Northumberland, where final construction and outfitting will take place.

The completed vessel will measure approximately 74 feet long with a 20-foot beam, powered by two Volvo engines, and designed to cruise the river at about five knots.

With a shallow 2½-foot draft and the capacity to accommodate approximately 110 passengers, the riverboat will offer daily sightseeing cruises, sunset excursions, educational trips, and special events. Planned routes will depart from the Northumberland dock on the West Branch of the river, traveling upriver to the new bridge over the West Branch, then south under the Route 11 bridge to the Fabridam.

CSRS is also excited to announce its partnership with a new foundation called DegenSTEAM.  DegenSTEAM is a newly formed initiative of The 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation with the aim to unite the private, public, and philanthropic sectors of our community to support regional non-profits through STEAM learning for all ages in all spaces. The riverboat will serve as one of DegenSTEAM’s innovation hubs, hosting a variety of STEAM-related activities on the river.

The project has received a tremendous amount of support from the Degenstein Foundation, but additional funding is needed. CSRS is participating in the upcoming “Raise the Region” fundraising event on March 11–12. Donations made during the event may be matched by corporate sponsors, increasing the impact of each contribution.

CSRS invites community members to support the project by making a donation during the campaign. Contributions of any size will help bring this unique regional attraction to life and provide residents and visitors with a new way to experience the beauty of the Susquehanna River.

For more information or to support CSRS during Raise the Region, please visit their website at www.centralsusquehannariverboat.org or check out their Facebook page.