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No fast cat for Masset

Masset may still get a cruise ship, but it won't be a BC Ferries Fast Cat.
"I have no plans of exploring the Fast Cat possibility," says Shirley Kricheldorf of the Masset Economic Development Commission.
Last summer, Ms Kricheldorf introduced the idea of buying a small cruise ship for the islands to act as a floating hotel/convention centre. She did some research and found that a used cruise ship in good condition could be bought for about $2-million. Vessels of this size can hold between 70 and 100 people.
Ms Kricheldorf thinks a cruise ship has several advantages over a hotel. The ship can be booked for large events like feasts and conventions, but it can also be used for short cruises around the islands. And if the venture doesn't make money, the boat can be sold more easily than a land bound hotel.
The Masset Economic Development Commission supports the idea, but it has been put on the back burner while Ms Kricheldorf completes some more immediate projects.
Ms Kricheldorf has done some research, and discovered an Alaskan company called Glacier Bay Cruise Line that operates three small cruise ships. The boats run tours from Seattle to Alaska. When she has more time available, Ms Kritcheldorf intends to research the idea more fully.