http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/lak...11b81f8513.html

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A Lake Michigan cruise boat could set sail out of Michigan City this summer, giving people the chance to sip wine while watching the sun set aboard a boat on the Great Lake.

The Michigan City Port Authority board voted to allow a tour boat — similar to those docked at Navy Pier — to operate out of the Washington Park Marina on the Lake Michigan shore. A 70-foot, 150-seat ship would take fun-seekers out on sightseeing tours along the Lake Michigan coastline, on dinner cruises and to destinations like New Buffalo, Michigan, according to Michigan City Port Authority Harbormaster Tim Frame.

The unidentified operator has the city's approval to move forward with the plan and went to Boston to look at a used cruise boat after the U.S. Coast Guard shot down his plan to buy one in Detroit, because it turned out to have been made in Canada, Frame said. The operator has not yet signed a contract but is hoping to be up and running by this summer.

If all goes as planned, the cruise ship should embark on its maiden voyage by Memorial Day and run through Oct. 31 when weather permits, Frame said. In addition to daily excursions, the boat also could be rented out for weddings and corporate functions.