After 25 years serving the Tacoma waterfront, the historic Emerald Queen riverboat casino has been relocated to Seattle. The 300-foot Mississippi-style paddlewheel vessel, which played a crucial role in the Puyallup tribe's economic development, was recently sold to Seattle-based Spectral Crane and Marine.

Originally purchased by the Puyallup tribe for $15 million in 1997, the Emerald Queen operated as a floating casino until 2004. Built in 1995 by a Louisiana shipyard, it brought the classic Mississippi River paddlewheel experience to Washington State's waters.

The vessel's casino operations ended in 2004 following an agreement between the Puyallup tribe and the Port of Tacoma. This arrangement allowed the tribe to establish a land-based Emerald Queen Casino in Fife, followed by a larger venue in Tacoma in 2020.

Boyer Halverson, owner of Spectral Crane and Marine, has indicated the vessel might be converted into a barge, though final plans remain undecided. Despite being out of service for nearly two decades, the boat has been maintained in pristine condition.

The Puyallup Tribal Council acknowledged the riverboat's significance, stating it "served our Tribe well and laid the foundation for us to open and operate the two premier casinos in the Northwest." This transition marks the end of an era for Tacoma's waterfront and the beginning of a new chapter for the historic vessel.

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