MEDIA ADVISORY: 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 23

Cruise Ship Returns to Erie Canal

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Cruise ship Grande Mariner

ALBANY, NY (05/22/2012)(readMedia)-- WHEN: 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012

WHERE: Battery Park, First Street & Erie Canal, Waterford, Saratoga County

WHAT: Cruise ship Grande Mariner returns to the Erie Canal

WHO: Canal Director Brian U. Stratton joins cruise line operator Nancy Blount for Rhode Island cruise company's first trip of the year through Erie Canal

WHY: The Grande Mariner was stranded for several weeks when the Erie Canal was hit with catastrophic flooding last year; this event celebrates her return to canal service.

CONTACTS: Canals, John Joyce (518) 469-5836

Blount Small Ship Adventures (800) 556-7450

BACKGROUND: http://blountsmallshipadventures.com/

ATTACHED PHOTO: M/V Grande Mariner passes through Lock 9 of the Erie Canal near Schenectady, N.Y., in the fall of 2011 in the aftermath of severe flooding.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS to Battery Park in Waterford: Travel north on Route 787 to the end in Cohoes. Turn right (north) on Route 32 (Saratoga Street) into Waterford. Cross the bridge over the Erie Canal. Bear right onto Broad Street. Pass through the traffic light and cross over old Champlain Canal. Proceed 4 blocks and turn right onto First Street, follow to end.

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