Santa takes new ride to Chester

<span>It's longer than a sleigh, and perhaps a bit more powerful than a team of reindeer.</span>

<span>Knight Hawk Coal's newest tugboat, "River Hawk," had its public showcase on Saturday at the Chester Riverfront with a very important person on board.</span>

<span>Santa Claus made his traditional return via barge, with the River Hawk providing escort duties. Santa, along with Mrs. Claus, was enthusiastically greeted by a large crowd of children and admirers who had come out to see his arrival.</span>

<span>"I didn't get a count on the kids, but I'm guessing around 80 or so," said Chester Mayor Tom Page. "Seeing their eyes when (Santa) comes off the barge, it makes their day and it makes the big peoples' day too just to see it."</span>

<span>The 65-foot, 1,200-horsepower River Hawk was built by South Point, Ohio-based Superior Marine. KHC took delivery of the vessel in October and it is the first boat to be registered to the Port of Chester.</span>

<span>"In the past, the U.S. Coast Guard required boats to be registered to its nearest station," said Knight Hawk Coal Spokesman Jeff Smyth. "Those rules were subsequently changed."</span>

<span>The River Hawk is used to position coal barges at KHC's Lone Eagle Dock along Route 3 south of Chester. It is one of two tugboats operated under the company's subsidiary, Knight Hawk Marine.</span>

<span>Smyth told the Herald Tribune the River Hawk replaces the "Maverick," which sunk near the dock in the early-morning hours of September 18, 2014.</span>

<span>It was raised in November of that year and Smyth said it was successfully salvaged and is back in service for a different company.</span>

<span>Santa's visit to the riverfront included a greeting by Page, while members of the Chester High School Band played holiday songs.</span>

<span>The event - which included Santa and Mrs. Claus visiting with area children at the Chester Boat Club - was one of the scheduled events of the annual Christmas on the River Celebration, now in its 27th year.</span>

<span>"The turnout that we had for the parade, coupled with this morning's turnout with the parade and Santa Claus, couldn't have had a better weekend," Page said.</span>

<span>"I very much appreciate all the time from city employees and the volunteers that make this thing possible."</span>

<span>Tom Welge, vice president of River City Renewal, said the "Port of Chester" designation is not connected to any developments on the riverfront.</span>

<span>"I think River City is interested in developing all areas of town that have commercial or tourism interest," he said. "We're going to continue to do that."</span>