The Lorena Sternwheeler, a Muskingum County staple for over 40-years, is costing a little more this year than in years past.

The Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is requesting roughly $7,000 from the Muskingum County Commissioners to make up for additional costs associated with the Lorena Sternwheeler this season.

Every five years, the vessel is inspected, and that five-year inspection happened this year. The inspection usually increases the costs of the sternwheeler for the year, but there have been more unforeseen issues and additional maintenance this year than the past.

The additional costs added to the Lorena bill for the season also come with increased labor costs to adjust the reoccurring issues. Captain William Page III. has been working diligently this season to keep the tourist attraction up and running, County Commissioner Jim Porter said.

Unfortunately, the Lorena has had to cancel a few cruises and public rides due to the additional maintenance this year which is taking away from the revenue generated from the attraction.

Kelly Ashby, Vice President of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau which manages the Lorena Sternwheeler, argued a case for the sternwheeler saying it attracts many people from Ohio and beyond.

“We have thousands of passengers that ride the Lorena each and every year, and they come from Indiana, West Virginia, Utah and then lots of places within Ohio as well,” Ashby said. “Probably about 80 percent (of passengers) do come from out of town to use the sternwheeler, to enjoy the Lorena Sternwheeler.”

Ashby added that the Lorena causes a “trickle-down effect” in the community’s economy. When people visit Muskingum County for the sternwheeler, they visit restaurants, purchase gas and add to the Zanesville-Muskingum County community.

The Lorena did pass the five-year inspection, despite the issues that it has been facing, and is projected to run for another 25 years.

The sternwheeler is currently shut down for a couple of days due to overheating issues in the engine room.