Captain Joe and a fine catch! July’s featured Guttenberg business is Mississippi River Charters, a sightseeing and fishing charter service that is owned and operated by U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master Captain, Josef Vich.
Joe Vich, a retired Iowa bank founder, President, and CEO, has boated on the Mississippi River for over 40 years, primarily between Gutenberg and Harpers Ferry. Upon retirement, Joe was able to fulfill a long-time dream of becoming a USCG licensed Master Captain and opening Mississippi River Charters in Guttenberg in 2015. He also serves as a relief captain for Maiden Voyage Tours in McGregor.
In order to open a charter service, Joe first had to become a licensed boat captain. The process to become a licensed UGCG Master Captain requires many hours of coursework, hundreds of hours of boating experience, passing two detailed exams and a comprehensive physical exam and drug test, First Aid and CPR certification, and a federal background check. In addition, to operate on the Mississippi River in the Guttenberg area, Joe was required to have a permit from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and had to become a licensed guide with the Wisconsin D.N.R. After successfully meeting these requirements, Joe purchased a 17 foot center console Boston Whaler, which is designed to make fishing and sightseeing a safe and comfortable experience.
Mississippi River Charters offers two hour sightseeing tours and four or eight hour fishing or sightseeing charters, and each charter is customized to meet the desires of their clients. Joe also provides safe boat training and boat delivery services. “Each of our clients design their own adventures. Many want to combine their time on the river with some sightseeing and fishing. We are client focused and work hard to make their time on the river a memorable experience. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and truly enjoy the opportunity to share the majesty of the Mississippi River and the beauty of Guttenberg with them,” says Joe. So far, Mississippi River Charters has been able to share that beauty with clients from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, and even England.
Joe says, “Guttenberg has such a rich historical, ecological and family-friendly heritage. There are fun events, interesting attractions, outstanding art, nature at its best, great food, and excellent fishing. There is so much to see and do in Guttenberg! Our charter business is another fun way to promote visitors and increase the economy for Guttenberg. A recent client travelled to Guttenberg just for a fishing charter with me. They spent two nights at a local motel, ate several meals at local restaurants and told me how much they enjoyed shopping and seeing the attractions in Guttenberg. We are honored to join a vibrant business community in Guttenberg.”
Mississippi River Charters will be offering one hour boat rides on Saturday, August 13 in conjunction with Celebrate the River.
Upcoming Events:
July 23: Guttenberg Motel Catfish Tournament
August 12-13: Celebrate the River
August 13: Youth Fishing Tournament
Joe Vich, a retired Iowa bank founder, President, and CEO, has boated on the Mississippi River for over 40 years, primarily between Gutenberg and Harpers Ferry. Upon retirement, Joe was able to fulfill a long-time dream of becoming a USCG licensed Master Captain and opening Mississippi River Charters in Guttenberg in 2015. He also serves as a relief captain for Maiden Voyage Tours in McGregor.
In order to open a charter service, Joe first had to become a licensed boat captain. The process to become a licensed UGCG Master Captain requires many hours of coursework, hundreds of hours of boating experience, passing two detailed exams and a comprehensive physical exam and drug test, First Aid and CPR certification, and a federal background check. In addition, to operate on the Mississippi River in the Guttenberg area, Joe was required to have a permit from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and had to become a licensed guide with the Wisconsin D.N.R. After successfully meeting these requirements, Joe purchased a 17 foot center console Boston Whaler, which is designed to make fishing and sightseeing a safe and comfortable experience.
Mississippi River Charters offers two hour sightseeing tours and four or eight hour fishing or sightseeing charters, and each charter is customized to meet the desires of their clients. Joe also provides safe boat training and boat delivery services. “Each of our clients design their own adventures. Many want to combine their time on the river with some sightseeing and fishing. We are client focused and work hard to make their time on the river a memorable experience. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and truly enjoy the opportunity to share the majesty of the Mississippi River and the beauty of Guttenberg with them,” says Joe. So far, Mississippi River Charters has been able to share that beauty with clients from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, Florida, and even England.
Joe says, “Guttenberg has such a rich historical, ecological and family-friendly heritage. There are fun events, interesting attractions, outstanding art, nature at its best, great food, and excellent fishing. There is so much to see and do in Guttenberg! Our charter business is another fun way to promote visitors and increase the economy for Guttenberg. A recent client travelled to Guttenberg just for a fishing charter with me. They spent two nights at a local motel, ate several meals at local restaurants and told me how much they enjoyed shopping and seeing the attractions in Guttenberg. We are honored to join a vibrant business community in Guttenberg.”
Mississippi River Charters will be offering one hour boat rides on Saturday, August 13 in conjunction with Celebrate the River.
Upcoming Events:
July 23: Guttenberg Motel Catfish Tournament
August 12-13: Celebrate the River
August 13: Youth Fishing Tournament
17 Foot Boston Whaler
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