A Voluntown couple has been chosen to operate the water taxi that will ferry  Thames River Heritage Park visitors to historical and cultural sites on both sides of the river starting this summer.

Jacalyn and David Dietrich, working as Thames River Water Taxi, were selected by the committee planning the multisite park from among four proposals submitted last month.

The selection was announced Thursday at the conclusion of a meeting at The Garde updating representatives of potential park attractions and leaders of the three communities in the park — New London, Groton Town and Groton City — about progress thus far and next steps needed to bring the park to reality.

“We were thrilled with their proposal,” said Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith, a member of the committee, in announcing the selection.

Jacklyn Dietrich said she and her husband have not yet signed a contract, but are enthusiastic about starting the service.

It is slated to run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this summer, using two surplus Navy vessels that are being refurbished.

Jacklyn Dietrich said she holds a captain’s license and has sailed competitively in Newport.

She will manage the day-to-day operations of the taxi service, while David Dietrich, who works full time for General Dynamics, will provide technical and mechanical assistance, she said.

Jacklyn Dietrich said she will be looking to hire two staff with captain’s licenses and a couple of crew members for the boats.

j.benson@theday.com