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The Georgetown in dry dock. Photo by Lisa Hendrick.

The Georgetown may have reached the end of its nautical career. For many years, the boat has allowed vistors to travel back in time as they cruised the historic C&O Canal from the Georgetown Visitor Center. Operations were suspended July 14, 2011.

At the association's August board meeting, Bill Justice, Chief of Interpretation, C&O Canal National Historical Park, said structural problems have sidelined the boat. He attributed the current problems to repairs made after a fire about 15 years ago. High costs make repairing the vessel impractical. The park has not decided what to do about a replacement.

Canal boat opeartions will continue at Great Falls. The Charles F. Mercer, a replica, double-decked, canal packet boat, entered service in 2006. Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern led the fund-raising effort, which resulted in the construction of the Mercer.

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