African Queen to begin daily cruises in the Keys

April 12, 2012: The African Queen, the original vessel the classic 1951 film, sails on a Key Largo, Fla., canal. (AP)

The African Queen, the iconic original vessel from the classic film of the same name, is plying nearshore waters and canals in the Florida Keys again.

Keys sailing charter operators Lance and Suzanne Holmquist inked an agreement with the 100-year-old boat's owner and invested some $70,000 to restore the boat that carried Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn to movie history. The boat was originally brought to Key Largo in 1983 and restored then, but has languished as an out-of-the-water display for the past 11 years.

Stephen Bogart, son of the film star, was present during a re-launch event Thursday for the vessel, registered as a national historic site.

Next week, the Holmquists are to begin daily cruises for Keys visitors from the Holiday Inn Key Largo.