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CANCELLED 2010 Second Saturday Buffalo Bayou Boat Rides (weather permitting)

Presented by Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Downtown Houston - Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade

September 11, 2010

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Vandals burn Buffalo Bayou boats
By AMANDA CASANOVA
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
July 7, 2010, 10:07PM

Three boats from the Buffalo Bayou Partnership are back bobbing at their home dock in the caramel-colored bayou after the watercrafts were released Tuesday night.

Authorities are investigating whether the untying of the boats is linked with a fire early that morning at the Drennan Street field office where the vessels are stored.

The fire destroyed the group's tour pontoon, valued at $50,000, and damaged the "bio-vac" boat, which helps clean the bayou, said Trudi Smith, director of public relations and events for the nonprofit.

Two separate fires were started on each craft at about 2 a.m., said Deputy Hugo Alaniz of the Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's office.

"It wasn't accidental," he said. "They meant to light the two boats."
Intruders spotted

Tuesday night, three of the four boats owned by the partnership were released into the bayou headed toward the Port of Houston. The bio-vac was left behind.

The vessels were found and docked at a business less than 2 miles away from the Drennan Street dock early Wednesday.

An employee from JL Proler Iron & Steel Co., a business near the dock, spotted two boys letting the boats go around 8:30 p.m. When the pair tried to release a conveyer belt, which carries recycled products up from the bayou, the boys realized they had been seen and fled on bikes, Smith said.

The intruders gained access by cutting a 3-foot hole in fencing around the dock. No cameras are mounted in that area, Alaniz said.

The pontoon boat was used for tours that offered an up-close look at the bayou.

"It's really a sad situation because the pontoon tour boat we use to promote Buffalo Bayou," Smith said, "and to show the beauty of the bayou and its history. We no longer have that."
Reward is offered

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership is a nonprofit corporation that works to maintain and improve the Buffalo Bayou system. The partnership was launched in 1986.

A Houston resident has offered a reward of $5,000 to anyone who helps with the case. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 713-752-0314 or e-mail at info@buffalobayou.org.

 

Every 2nd Saturday of the month (weather permitting) Buffalo Bayou Partnership invites you to a 30-minute tour on the city’s waterways aboard the Partnership’s pontoon boat, the Bayou Breeze with their 2010 Second Saturday Buffalo Bayou Boat Rides.

These 30-minute boat rides are a great way to spend the afternoon with your family. Escape from the city and enjoy the cool breeze as you glide along the bayou's waters. Look for graceful herons, jumping fish, and even the occasional alligator sunning on the bayou's banks.

After your cruise, enjoy a picnic lunch on the new Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade grounds.

No Reservations (20 person capacity per trip). Boat picks up at Sabine Street Bridge North Boat Landing.

2010 Dates:
February 13
March 21 (different date due to Regatta)
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11

Please note that all of our boat rides and tours are subject to cancellation due to high and or fast water, which makes boat operation unsafe. Tours which require reservations will notify passengers within 2 hours of departure and there will be signage to indicate the cancellation of Christmas Cruises and Second Saturday rides.