How Would YOU Do It ????

The " Simple Solution " !

Greetings From New Orleans !
I believe that I can safely assume that all of us would like nothing better than to see the Str. Delta Queen up and running again but in my humble opinion that would be a highly unlikely occurance due to the present state of mind of both the U.S. Congress and the maritime unions !
Therefore , if I was in a position of authority I would simply take the Str. Delta Queen to a different market and country]with less stringent rules and rregulations ! As radical as this idea may sound on the surface , just imagine taking a trip on the DQ out of a scenic Canadian port on any body of water that would accomodate the the " Queen " ! For that matter , also consider taking the " Queen " on a trip out of a South American port with once again less stringent rules and regulations !
it is now obvisious to me that not the so called River Towns have turned their backs to the Str. Delta Queen but now and even more unfortunately the country as a whole has done so as well ! If the steamboats do not adapt to the current times and conditions they to will go the way of the dinosaurs ! Its just that simple !
Food for thought !
Smooth Sailing !
Ted Davisson

Capt Mike;20928 wrote: Rodger, what you suggest is a contradiction, saying that the Coast Guard has no jurisdiction, but the Delta Queen needs a COI to sail...who else has the authority to issue a Certificate of Inspection for an American Flag vessel, wether it be for 49 passengers or 500, certainly not the local Fire Marshal in Chattanooga. Try taking the Boat out for a cruise and see what the local Coast Guard office says, COI, 49 passengers or less... Gee, Although they alledgedly have no authority over the vessel now, they sure come down and tell the owner how to secure/ moor the vessel.. I've been there a few times as a paying guest, you? Call me. Ask Steve

I've mentioned this before and still feel it's the scenario that makes the most sense, in a situation that makes NO sense whatsoever.

For the life of me, I can not wrap my brain around the thinking by the "powers that be" that the DQ could have been certified to operate as an excursion boat, without overnight passengers, like the Belle of Louisville, or that it is allowed to operate as a floating hotel with overnight "guests", but not both?!? So, it's safe to cruise as long as you don't sleep, or it's safe to sleep if you don't cruise, but if you do both it's suddenly unsafe?!? Do these lawmakers think at all before they act?

I still feel a compromise is the best alternative if she can't run as an overnight passenger boat. If she could get a COI to carry passengers again, I think running daylong trips, similar to the Belle of Cincinnati, Celebration Belle or Twilight is the way to go. Short 8-12 hour trips between towns during daylight hours, tying the boat up at night and allowing the "boat passengers" to become "hotel guests" at night, instead of staying in a hotel in town. You could carry a lightweight, portable ramp that could be run off the cabin deck for a second emergency egress route and make sure there is access to a city fire main at any docking site. Also, there would have to be a detailed evacuation plan/drills and constant fire watches, as there always was.

I really don't know how any "governing body" could say this was anymore unsafe than riding the Belle of Louisville or staying at the "Delta Queen Hotel". To me, this still seems like the most reasonable compromise. It may take a little persuading to get a COI back and get approval for these daylight trips with overnight dockside stays, but I think it's a lot more realistic than a full exemption at this time.

Hey all!

Back in the late part of the season of 2007 I was saying "foreign registry"...Canada was the better of the options...the St. Lawrence Seaway and Ottawa River area are ideal for our girl to run 3-10 day cruises, seasonally, of course! Here is a link to someone who is already doing it. They even mention steamboat history on their website and brochure. They MIGHT be the ideal people to get involved with. Seems strange that Canadian law would allow her to run and a large mega-nation would forbid her in a mistaken law that should have nev er included her.

River Cruises St Lawrence River Cruise Calm Water in the 1000 Islands

Just incase we need to go there, I CAN play "Oh, Canada" on calliope and have!

Travis

Great thought, Travis! Another good thing about running there is that she already has a large freeboard since it was needed during her days in San Francisco Bay. Even if there was some stormy weather, she would be able to handle it without getting the main deck swamped.