Topic starter
05/02/2008 4:42 pm
Greetings From New Orleans ,
A few days ago as I was on a north bound tanker for the Exxon , Baton Rouge refinery I over took this casino boat bound for Natchez , Mississippi , just below Manchac Point . I was told by the Pilot on board that this casino boat was a Gulf Coast - Katrina victum and that it had just been refurbished and been purchased by some interest in Natchez . I believe this will make the second casino boat in the Natchez area and I have always wondered just how many casino boats will the market bear . I believe that Vicksburg has either three or four boats now and I have also wondered how many casino boats are now on the Inland Waters of America . In the accompaing pictures you will be able to see two Ocean Tugs secured to the casino boat , one on the stern pushing and the other " on the hawser " pulling and guiding the boat . I have also wondered what effect if any do these casino boats have on the rest of us that work the river , as far as the Coast Guard , Rules and Regulations go ??
Food For Thought !
Smoothe Sailing !
Ted Davisson
05/02/2008 9:18 pm
Ted,
Thanks for the pics! I remember seeing this boat sitting in a slough on the GIWW about 20 miles east of Port Arthur, TX last time we were over that way on the DQ. As a matter of fact I have some pictures of it somewhere. I will try to find those and post them soon. I believe she had blue trim at that time...but, this is definately her!
I always wondered about this boat. She looks just like all those articulated boats...but has a sternwheel which looks suspisciously functional. Seems I took some pictures with a telephoto lens and saw a break like on an articulated vessel.
With her tall Pilothouse she sure has the look of an old timer....too bad about the all white with no trim look. I am sure that will change, as colour seems to be the Casino hallmark on the river...the more ostentatiously colourful the better!
Seems to me last time I saw her she had a Tangley Calliaphone on the upper deck stern. Looks like this is gone....ah how the casino folk move boldly ahead in the face of tradition!
~Travis~