Lynn settles suit with casino boat

LYNN – The elusive Horizon’s Edge Casino Cruise Ship has resurfaced after nearly four months on the lam, with its owners agreeing to repay the city for three months of rent they skipped out on.James Cowdell, executive director of the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC), said a lawsuit filed against the cruise ship by the department several months ago was settled out of court Tuesday.”We’re happy and we wish them the best of luck wherever they go,” he said. “I don’t know what they plan to do, but they’re not in the casino business anymore.”The exact amount recouped by the city was not detailed, but Cowdell said it is upwards of $17,000, which includes three months of rent in arrears at $5,000 and utility costs.Originally, Cowdell said he wanted to tack on accrued interest to the total amount due but in the end just settled for the base rent.Because a confidentiality agreement was signed between EDIC, its attorney Paul Keating and the general partners with the cruise ship, David Zion and Thomas Groom and their attorney, Cowdell said the lawsuit could not be obtained by The Item.Since news broke of the missing ship in March, the EDIC has reportedly gotten calls on a daily basis about sightings of the cruise ship and other tips to track down the owners.The cruise ship set sail from its summer port off of Marine Boulevard without notifying its landlord, the EDIC, or its loyal customers.Sightings were reported in Treasure Island, Fla., Cape Cod and East Boston.Feeling a general unrest about the nearly $17,000 in back rent, the city filed a lawsuit shortly after to recover its losses.”That closes that chapter,” he said. “Now EDIC can use that money to give out business loans and pay for operating costs.”The Las Vegas-style casino cruise ship, which began operating in Lynn in 2000, featured cards, poker, craps, roulette, more than 225 slot machines, a buffet and live entertainment. It could carry 500 passengers plus crew.”And that’s the interesting part because the ship made money in the area,” he said. “It was the only one of its kind in the area and Boston doesn’t have one.”Now that there is an opening, Cowdell said he is actively pursuing another cruise ship to come aboard.”We’re still working with the the same party (that we’ve worked with since March),” he said. “There is a lot of attention on the harbor right now and we’re marketing it broadly, but we probably won’t get anyone in for this summer season.”Damages allegedly made by the cruise ship to a dock owned by the EDIC are still being worked out between insurance companies.