New London — The Thames River Heritage Park has issued a request for proposals from commercial tour boat operators, seeking one to run a water taxi service and other boat tours in the summers of 2019 through 2021.

The operator would use the two U.S. Navy Willard boats the Heritage Park owns, which can carry about 40 passengers each, and provide its own boat captains and crew.

Thames River Water Taxi LLC has been the operator for the past three years, said Amy Perry, executive director of the Thames River Heritage Park. She said there has been no issues with this operator, which can respond to the RFP, but having a three-year contract is board protocol.

The water taxi has been around since 2016, and according to the RFP, ridership was 4,299 the first year, 6,537 last year and 6,647 this past summer.

The hop-on hop-off taxi runs between City Pier in New London, Fort Trumbull State Park in New London and Thames River Landing in Groton. It is scheduled to operate Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays May 24 through Sept. 15, 2019; May 22 through Sept. 13, 2020; and May 29 through Sept. 12, 2021.

In addition to the water taxi, the Heritage Park plans to start offering boat tours from late June through early September, going as far south as Ledge Lighthouse. This would be in addition to tours offered by groups such as the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition and the Avery-Copp House Museum.

Perry said discussions on offering historical tours are just getting started, and that "we're going to get some educators involved to make it more compelling."

She added that the goal is to have two tours that operate every week throughout the summer, and that another goal is to attract more groups.

Respondents to the RFP must submit a letter of intent by Jan. 8 and submit proposals by Jan. 28. More information, and the RFP, can be found at thamesriverheritagepark.org/recent-news.

e.moser@theday.com