The museum ship, Norgoma, has been a staple at the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront for decades, but it has slowly been losing support from city hall. 

First the funding was cut and now it has received an eviction notice.

It appears time is up for the large ship.

The MS Norgoma is the last passenger vessel to sail on the St. Mary's River.

Susan Myers is a Sault Ste. Marie City Councillor.

"We directed staff to give them their eviction notice. Their berthing lease is ending at August 31st." said Myers.

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Christian Provenzano says the ship has been in disrepair for many years.

"That boat has been deteriorating on our waterfront for twenty years and the status quo isn't acceptable." said Provenzano.

Paint chips falling in the water and a lack of visitors were just some of the reasons why council wants to see it gone, but Councillor Myers wants to see it stay and be worked on.

"It is an eye sore at the moment, but it needs to be repainted.  It costs $12,000 and the volunteer board and not-for- profit board, have the money to do it. Last year the weather didn't cooperate." said Myers.

The city purchased the ship in 1973.

Four years ago funding was cut off, and now a not-for-profit must fundraise every dollar.

Around town people's reaction to the eviction are mixed:

"I agree that is should be gone. It's just not in great shape. It's sad, but it's time." said one.

"It should be here, because we went with our kids and it’s inside, it's like a heritage here." said another.

"It served a purpose, but once you lose those things, you lose a certain part of history. That's unfortunate. Once you take it out of here, you probably never see it again." said a third.

Now that the MS Norgoma has to leave the marina, the question is, where else would a 185-foot ship be allowed to stay in the sault?

"There aren't that many places it can go around here. The reality is, if it’s not in that marina, it’s unlikely they will another place to berth it." said Mayor Provenzano.

Other options include selling it or scrapping it, a decision which needs to be made by the end of the summer.