Captiva Cruises is celebrating the return of its flagship boat, the Lady Chadwick, after Hurricane Ian repairs. The 65-foot boat was relaunched into service on October 10, 2023, after undergoing extensive repairs at Gulf Marine Yacht Works on Fort Myers Beach.
The Lady Chadwick was in dry dock for its biannual Coast Guard inspection when Hurricane Ian struck. The storm surge lifted the boat off its pilings and carried it about 450 feet away. The boat was eventually tangled up in a bunch of other boats and became lodged under a building.
Despite the damage, the Lady Chadwick was able to be repaired and returned to service. The boat’s hull was patched up, the propeller shafts were replaced, and the interior was gutted and rebuilt.
The Lady Chadwick is now back in action, offering cruises to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, and other popular destinations in Southwest Florida. The boat is also available for private charters.
Captiva Cruises owner Bob Rando is excited to have the Lady Chadwick back in service.
“The Lady Chadwick is a beloved member of our community, and we’re so glad to have her back on the water,” Rando said. “We’re looking forward to providing our guests with the same high-quality cruises that they’ve come to expect from Captiva Cruises.”
The return of the Lady Chadwick is a welcome sign of recovery for Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian. The storm caused widespread damage to the region, but businesses and residents are working hard to rebuild.
Captiva Cruises is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving Southwest Florida for over 25 years. The company offers a variety of cruises, including dolphin watching cruises, sunset cruises, and dinner cruises. Captiva Cruises also offers a variety of private charter options.
