PS Mahsud, a century-old paddle steamer, has been carefully restored and relaunched as a heritage tourism vessel, bringing a piece of river history back to life and giving people a fresh way to enjoy Bangladesh’s waterways. The relaunch at Sadarghat was held as a public celebration of river culture and a chance to open relaxed pleasure cruises on domestic routes, with officials and community leaders attending to mark the moment. The restoration team preserved the vessel’s original design while upgrading safety systems and engines so the boat looks historic but meets modern standards. Officials described the project as a bridge between history and tourism that can help people learn about how rivers once shaped daily life and trade. Planners say the refurbished steamer will offer regular leisure sailings on an inland route, and they hope both local families and visitors will enjoy relaxed cruises and traditional food. Work on the vessel included careful repairs to wooden parts, stronger fire protection, improved navigation equipment and new cabins that are comfortable for passengers without losing the boat’s old character. Ship experts and technicians also fitted modern monitoring tools and a digital navigation system to help captains steer safely and to protect the historic structure. Those involved praised local workers and craftsmen who helped restore original details, and they said the project kept heritage skills alive while creating new jobs in maintenance, tourism and hospitality. Officials noted plans to restore other historic steamers in the national fleet, which could expand heritage routes and give more communities the chance to share river stories with visitors. Organisers stressed that preserving a vessel like PS Mahsud is not only about display but about giving people real experiences that support local markets, such as food sellers, performers and small vendors at landing points. The relaunchers also pointed to the chance to use river cruises for cultural education, school visits and small events that keep traditions visible in everyday life. By combining careful conservation with practical tourism services, the project aims to offer passengers a safe, pleasant trip that also supports river towns and their craft people. Local transport managers said the work followed strict checks and that the steamer now meets safety and navigation rules while offering a gentle, scenic ride that connects cities and towns along the route. Community members welcomed the return of the steamer, noting that the river remains a shared space and that renewed river tourism can bring steady income to small businesses and guide services. The relaunch of PS Mahsud shows how thoughtful restoration can turn a historic vessel into a living attraction that teaches history, creates work and gives families a simple, joyful way to travel and learn on the water.
