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Arrr you in the market for a gently used pirate ship, or perhaps an entire fleet? This might be your lucky day.
Pirate Life Adventures, a tourism business that currently operates in Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton, is up for sale. The company’s holdings include four replica pirate ships, waterfront leases, docking rights, and operating and alcohol licences.
And while pirates generally operate outside the law, the company says all four vessels are perfectly seaworthy and certified by Transport Canada.
Owner Matt Slaman told CBC he’s ready to “pass off the captain’s sword” as he and his wife prepare to move to Europe.
“I’ve put in my heart and soul into this organization over all these last few years,” he said. “It’s been my pride and joy, but it is time to find someone else to take the reins.”
The vessel on Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa, called the Grey Ghost, is 15-metres from stern to bow, with 24 functioning water cannons.
Guests are treated to what Slaman calls an “immersive family adventure” including pirate names and costumes for the kids before setting sail in search of sunken treasure. It’s popular for summer camps, birthday parties and other celebrations, Slaman said.
“There’s nothing like seeing the smiles of the kids as they open the treasure chest or they’re firing the cannons at the villain, cruising around the ship in Mooney’s Bay,” he said.
The company’s adult programming on evenings and weekends includes comedy shows and escape rooms.
Pirate Life Adventures crew members entertain young guests aboard one of the company’s four ships. (Pirate Life Adventures)
Slaman began working for the company in 2009 when he was a university student in Ottawa. He took over the operation in 2020 and began expanding to other Ontario locations.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. The COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on business, but Slaman said the people are back and looking for this kind of unique, hands-on adventure.
“This is exactly what we need in a digital era, something in-person that allows people to connect and get together and play, create and imagine, and in different ways,” he said.
One ship is located at Toronto’s Harbourfront and another is docked near Bayfront Park in Burlington Bay. The fourth, normally located in Barrie, is not currently in the water.
Slaman said each ship welcomes between 10,000 and 15,000 guests during a six-month season, and described the business as a “turnkey operation” with trained staff on hand. He said the offer includes all four ships, but he’s open to selling the business off in parts.
He would not disclose his asking price, but said until a new captain is found, the Grey Ghost will continue to ply the waters of Mooney’s Bay in search of plunder.
“The ship keeps cruising with or without a sale, because there’s always treasure to be found at Mooney’s Bay,” Slaman said.