The first task was to develop reasonable operational expectations for the vessel. The vessel would be operated in a coastwise mode. The vessel would have a maximum underway endurance of 14 days.
Educational programming is the primary mission of the vessel.
The operating season in the Great Lakes would be May to October. The vessel has a 45 passenger day sail and 20 passenger overnight capacity. The vessel can provide two 3-4 hour programs per day. After the operational parameters were established, two schedules were developed. One schedule consisted of the vessel operating six-months exclusively in the Great Lakes.