Cape Cod Light and Cape May Light sold to Hornblower

Carmen Winkler;1058 wrote: Hornblower Marine Service, which operated the Belle of Louisville some time ago, has bought the former AMCV vessels Cape Cod Light and Cape May Light. Another name is occuring again: Michael Lomax, who last was involved with AWSC and Great American River Journeys (Columbia Queen). Read more:

http://www.modernagent.com/x/modernagent/visitor/resources/editorial.cds?n=15838

Carmen

Interesting news...Hornblower here I believe operates the Milwaukke/Muskegon Lake Express.

As these two vessels are not listed in the Inland River Record, who knows where we can find the specs on these two, including draft, number of crew, etc?

Shipyard Sam,

On this website you´ll find some data

http://www.gpai.com/main.htm (click on "Passenger Vessels")

Carmen

Thanks. They look like they would be fun to work on. Ride on, too.

More news about Coastal "Cape" boats

Here are two interesting articles from Seatrade Insider. They are a few days old. I've posted the text of the articles, since some may not have access to the site. Mr. Lomax is very involved with this effort. They will also do some sprucing up of the boats, which have been sleeping for almost 5 years.

New coastals brand aims for ’08 start
22/8/2006
If Hornblower Marine Services clinches its bid to buy Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light, it aims to start operations in the Great Lakes with one ship in Spring 2008. The second ship would enter service four to six months later, according to Michael Lomax, md-business development for HMS.

Various deployments are under consideration, including the Canadian Maritimes, the Atlantic Seaboard, the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. ‘We’re still studying itineraries with the possibility to bring one ship to the West Coast,’ Lomax added.

The Great Lakes season would stretch four to five months with routes of three to seven days, probably featuring Detroit and Chicago. Detroit is building a passenger terminal and has been instrumental in the HMS project, as has the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition. Chicago could serve as a base for short sailings targeted at the local market and the meetings and conventions business. It’s also among the potential headquarters for the new brand HMS plans to announce in coming months.

Lomax sees a premium market positioning for the ships, with three seasonal pricing levels that are competitive with other U.S.-flag operators. He said itineraries will emulate those planned by American Classic Voyages prior to its 2001 bankruptcy.

But first, HMS must acquire the coastals from the U.S. Maritime Administration. ‘We’re still working on raising the rest of our financing,’ HMS president John Waggoner told Seatrade Insider. A MARAD spokeswoman confirmed the agency is talking with HMS ‘but nothing is finalized.’ MARAD hopes the transaction will be completed by year’s end, she added.

Upgrades planned for Cape Coastals
22/8/2006
Cape May Light and Cape Cod Light have been moored at Green Cove Springs near Jacksonville since the 2001 bankruptcy of American Classic Voyages.

Both are in good condition but need work to gain classification and compete in the premium market, said executives of Hornblower Marine Services, the company that aims to buy them from the U.S. Maritime Administration.

'MARAD has taken excellent care of them over five years,’ said Michael Lomax, md-business development for HMS. The interiors have been maintained with dehumidifiers, and the machinery is in good shape.

However, Cape Cod Light was never delivered before the AMCV collapse and it lacks a galley. That work, along with updating the interiors of both ships, will be carried out in Jacksonville, according to HMS president and ceo John Waggoner. Updates will include new fabrics, carpets, flat-screen televisions, DVD players and wiring for Internet service. Because open deck space is limited, HMS is looking at redesigning the uppermost deck as a passenger area, Lomax said.

I wondered if the these 2 were gonna head up here or not...

I'm glad someone is realizing the many jewels of the Great Lakes for shore stops...much like the UMR...there are so many great ones!!! (no pun intended)

I know on all my DQ Illinois River trips I heard lamentations from many passengers how they wished the DQ could have gone straight to Chicago...
albeit impossible past Ottawa I believe, could one imagine the DQ docked @ Navy Pier!!! It would be a neat sight for sure!!!

I for one will gladly book on a trip to Saugatuck, Harbor Springs, Mackinac Island, or any other west Michigan berg that Hornblower can take the boats to! The Chautauqua camp at Bay View, MI. is a Victorian gem, and well worth a visit. Come to think of it, there are wonderful little towns along the Lake Michigan coast of Wisconsin too.

I am a lurker on this forum for the most part but am a former DQSC and DN Employee. I Worked on the MQ and the Cape May Light. I was on the Cape May when the company announced they were ceasing operations. She really was a great ship. A little cramped for sure. From what I seen it was not well thought out though. The dining room sat right above the engine room. So there was a awful vibration. So bad that plates and silver very easily vibrated right off the table if the capt/pilot was throttle happy...lol

The crew cabins held 2 employees. Also 2 cabins shared 1 bathroom, and was just sandwiched in between the crew cabins.. Also the captain who brought the ship back to Florida once we all were given our final pay was involved in a tragic accident, when a water tight door closed as he was walking thru it.

Steamboating colleagues:
Just catching up with all of the interesting and informative postings on the saga of the CAPE boats. Much appreciated I can assure you. So true about the cruising season on the Great Lakes being somewhat limited from May to September. As many know the Great Lakes can be at times rough--really rough--rivaling the Atlantic due to wave troughs and shorter distance between crests. I'd mentioned to Frank Prudent off of the web my experiences on the old lakes liner SOUTH AMERICAN of the 'Chicago, Duluth & Georgian Bay Transit Co.' back in the 1960s just prior to the SOUTH being retired due to the then prevailing 'Safety At Sea Laws.' That was one beautiful steamship from stem to stern and well maintained until the very last. The SOUTH was somewhat larger than her sister the NORTH and thus able to continue the cruise trade a few years longer. Her long main cabin sported a balcony accessed from either end by ornate staircases. Winds and seas on the Great Lakes could be felt and she could be 'tippy' at times. That big gold plated whistle really roared out. There was an old German stewardess on the SOUTH who, in passing one day, said, "I can take it ven she rocks and I can take it ven she rolls--but oh, my, it's ven she pitches."

Thanks for your postings and keep us tuned in on the future of the CAPE boats. Not 'pure steamboats' but the SOUTH AMERICAN was one big steamboat.

Cheers,
R. Dale Flick