Solaris Tours Return July 17, 2020

Solaris underway on an Industrial Waterfront tour on Rondout Creek. Hudson River Maritime Museum.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​Kingston, NY – As the Mid-Hudson Region enters Phase 4 of re-opening, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the return of Solaris public tours starting Friday, July 17, 2020.
 
In compliance with Phase 4 of New York's reopening strategy, Solaris will operate at 33% capacity (10 guests and 2 crew members) and require all staff and guests to wear protective face coverings to ensure their safety and the safety of the crew. All surfaces will be disinfected between each trip and those aboard the vessel will maintain strict social distancing practices, including the sectioning off of a "crew only” area. A separate on-shore restroom will be available for passengers before and after the tours and guests will please gather at the gazebo in the museum yard prior to departure.
 
Tour options include an Ecology Cruise, where guides will discuss some of the ecology of the Hudson River and the wildlife we may encounter along the way, an Industrial Waterfront Tour, including the industrial history of the Rondout waterfront, a Dual Lighthouse Tour, which visits (but does not enter) the Rondout and Esopus Meadows Lighthouses, and the ever-popular Sunset Cruise.
 
Tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the afternoons and evenings.
 
Tour dates and times are subject to change with vessel availability.
 
For more information and to book a tour, visit www.hrmm.org/all-boat-tours or call 845-338-0071 between noon at 5:00 PM.   
 
Solaris is also available for private charters as of July 10, 2020. For more information about charters, including our charter request form, visit www.hrmm.org/book-a-charter.
 
The museum is open to the public 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Fridays through Sundays starting Friday, July 10, 2020. Capacity is limited to 25 people at a time and all visitors must wear face coverings while in the museum.
 
As always, the museum’s outdoor exhibits are open to the public, but we encourage social distancing at all times. The museum’s docks are open to transient boaters but shore facilities remain closed for the time being.
 
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About the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Located along the historic Rondout Creek in downtown Kingston, N.Y., the Hudson River Maritime Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries. HRMM opened the Wooden Boat School in 2016 and the Sailing & Rowing School in 2017. In 2019 the museum launched the 100% solar-powered tour boat Solaris. www.hrmm.org
 
About Solaris. Solaris was built by the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s restoration crew under the direction of Jim Kricker. Solaris is the only US Coast Guard-approved 100% solar-powered passenger vessel in the United States. It does not plug in. Designed by marine architect Dave Gerr from a concept developed by David Borton, owner of Sustainable Energy, Solaris is commercial in design, meeting all U.S. Coast Guard regulations for commercial passenger-carrying vessels. www.hrmm.org/meet-solaris

Solaris underway on an Industrial Waterfront tour on Rondout Creek. Hudson River Maritime Museum.