Three Rivers Waterkeeper
Oct 29, 2026
Collaboration prepares for the next voyage for the Explorer Vessel, one of Pittsburgh’s Iconic Riverboats.
::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::
October 29, 2026
Contact:
Heather Hulton VanTassel, PhD, 3RWK Executive Director
Heather@ThreeRiversWaterkeeper.org (724) 651-4367
Emily Balawejder, Director, Marketing & Communications
ebalawejder@riversofsteel.com (412) 464-4020 X243
Three Rivers Waterkeeper Acquires Rivers of Steel’s Explorer Vessel to Prepare the Boat for its Next Journey
Collaboration prepares for the next voyage for the Explorer Vessel, one of Pittsburgh’s Iconic Riverboats.
PITTSBURGH, PA – October 2026 – On October 29, 2026, Three Rivers Waterkeeper purchased the M/V Explorer Riverboat from Rivers of Steel and are now preparing it for its next iteration. Three Rivers Waterkeeper is a non-profit based in Pittsburgh, PA that protects and restores the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio River Watersheds. Aligned with Rivers of Steel’s mission, they plan to give new life to the riverboat.
In 2006, Explorer was constructed in Freeport, FL. The non-profit organization, RiverQuest, commissioned the project to improve access and capacity to its award-winning Environmental Science program for local schools. Explorer was built to embody the essence of what was taught in the classroom – environmental stewardship, sustainability, care for Pittsburgh’s resources, and consideration of the future.
Since its arrival in Pittsburgh, Explorer has served thousands of students through hands-on environmental education on the region’s three rivers. At its peak, the program served more than 4,000 students in a single year. Even after the vessel could no longer operate, Rivers of Steel continued offering dockside educational experiences, allowing students to connect with the rivers and their environmental significance. After 20 years of being a floating classroom, the system has long outlived its expected serviceable life. Nevertheless, there’s a lot more life left in this riverboat.
“For nearly two decades, Explorer connected students and community members to the history, ecology, and significance of our region’s three rivers,” said Mary W. Murrin, President and CEO of Rivers of Steel. ”It provided a unique opportunity to experience these waterways firsthand and the impact our rivers have in shaping our region. We’re thrilled that Three Rivers Waterkeeper will carry the boat’s purpose and legacy forward in support of river education and environmental stewardship.”
The next iteration of the riverboat is an exciting one taken on by Three Rivers Waterkeeper to extend the boat’s history of cultural connections to our region’s waterways. Working with Rivers of Steel, the two organizations prepared the vessel for the next phase – an on-the-water, but stationary, office and education space for Three Rivers Waterkeeper. The riverboat, to be renamed, will remain in its North Shore location, but it will continue to connect people to our waterways.
“We are excited to move our offices to the riverboat and create a watershed education space that floats on the Ohio River. This will give us direct access to our rivers for water monitoring, data collection, and community education” said Dr. Heather Hulton VanTassel, Executive Director of Three Rivers Waterkeeper.
At first, the riverboat will be transformed into a stationary office and educational space that will remain at dock and unable to sail.
“Ultimately, we would love to see the riverboat sail again to provide watershed education while exploring our three rivers. But, for now, it will be our Waterkeeper home – providing a space for our staff to work to protect our rivers” said Dr. Hulton VanTassel.
Want to learn more about this next voyage? Join Three Rivers Waterkeeper at an open house on the riverboat on November 20, 2026 at 5:00-6:30pm. More information can be found at http://3rwk.org/openhouse.
About Three Rivers Waterkeeper
Three Rivers Waterkeeper (3RWK) was founded in 2009 and works to improve and protect the water quality of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers and their watersheds. These waterways are critical to the health, vitality, and economic prosperity of our region and communities. 3RWK is both a scientific and legal advocate for the community, working to ensure our three rivers are protected and safe to drink, fish, swim and enjoy. Learn more at www.3RWK.org.
About Rivers of Steel
Rivers of Steel is a collection of four experiential museums and national historic landmarks that celebrate the global impact of Pittsburgh’s steel industry. Since its designation as a National Heritage Area, Rivers of Steel has contributed to the revitalization of Pittsburgh by championing the region’s steel heritage, natural and shared resources, and culture of innovation and hard work. Founded on principles of heritage development and community partnership, Rivers of Steel supports economic revitalization through tourism, education, workforce development in traditional trades, metal arts, and outdoor experiences across the Monongahela River Valley and eight counties in western Pennsylvania. Learn more at www.RiversOfSteel.com.