AQ's return and Homeland Security

Security

I read online (I believe on GASC's Facebook page) that the same rules/regulations used in the past would be enforced, i.e. no tours or guests.

During the DQSC days I was able to get on the MQ/DQ/AQ when they would call on Wellsburg, WV and again when the itinerary changed to Wheeling with my great-grandfather who knew several of the captains and crew members. Was only on the DQ/MQ during the MAL days, including visiting Capt. Bobby Powell on what would turn out to be the MQ's last visit to Marietta in 2006.

It's a shame that some sort of arrangement for an hour long tour at ports can't be arranged. No doubt some passengers would feel inconvenienced or pestered by groups shuffling through and the companies would prefer not to hear those few complaints lodged. In my opinion, I think passengers would welcome this as it gives them a chance to meet the locals who maybe aren't as fortunate enough to afford a trip.

Could not agree more with you Taylor and I've had many similar experiences as a teenager touring the boats while in port which only festered my steamboat fever. Seems to me like it would be worth it for GASC to have someone available to give tours for interested passengers but I do understand the logistics involved in making sure the paying passengers are safe.

Poor Travis, Mary, and Jerry, everyone and their Mother from .ORG will be telling the watchman "we'll I know Travis/Mary/Jerry" to try and get on board.

Guess we'll all have to buy a ticket to ride.

Aaron

*RE: Visits on the AQ in ports*

Steamboating colleagues:
Just catching up on .org postings here. The questions posed by AJ Richardson, with follow comments, interesting. Betty Blake during her tenure understood the good PR in allowing visitors aboard the DQ commenting that, "Today's visitors mean future bookings." In the old days of steamboating the tradition of 'Steamboat Open House' in port for a new boat was an event. Even before Homeland Security many boat/ship companies began stopping large numbers of visitors aboard vessels prior to sailing or in ports. This for various reasons such as security, comfort of passengers, increasing insurance underwriter costs. I remember the days of the old QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH and later QE-2 in 1970 welcoming on visitors in New York for bon voyage parties. The custom at the gangway was to solicit contributions for the Sailor Relief Fund. At sailing time the PA system announced 'All ashore who are going ashore" with stewards going though corridors and cabin areas with a brass gong.

On a humorous note I remember back in the early 1970s aboard a cruise ship departing after a big open house. Two young ladies didn't hear the announcement and the ship sailed. Next port was three days away with them needing a cabin, meals, clothing items they bought in the ship's store in addition to being entered on the passenger manifest. They were in time put off having to fly back with the bill $$ in their hands. How on bigger ships do you know who's aboard and where?

Last time I was invited to lunch on the DQ here I reported at the landing to be checked on the visitor manifest with U.S. Passport in hand. I was checked and allowed to board.

Homeland Security regs are spelled out as are those of the Coast Guard for owning companies to "Set up their own security policies in accordance and guidelines." Another reg. focuses on policies of vessels of "more than 150 passengers whether overnight passengers or not." No doubt some exceptions made. Reading all the regs takes a team of Philadelphia lawers to figure out. No doubt Bill Judd, Ted Davisson, Bob Reynolds--and others here--actively working on boats know more from their angle. Some laws I study are:

1. Maritime Transportation Security Act.
2. SOLAS [Safety Of Life At Sea] which do filter down to our own Coast Guard on our rivers, lakes and other foreign nations.
3. National/International Ship and Port Codes.

I don't know all spelled out in the 'Management system for Inland Waterways Traffic Control' linked with AIS for all vessels under SOLAS. The questions mount. Well, what do I know?

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

On my first DQ trip, we stopped at Guntersville, Alabama, where a tour of the boat had been arranged. There was a huge line that extended past the stern of the boat. They were charged the usual 25 cents a pop which became a fund for the crew. I was amazed and could not believe the numbers of people that seemed to come out of nowhere. I never saw anything quite like it again, and probably never will.

Is it possible that Queen of the Mississippi can give tours after all it is stopping in more towns that AQ allowing Queen of the Mississippi to offer more tourism to towns.

Hey Matt and all,
I recall now that the River Explorer did allow visitors towards the end of her operating days. I wonder how they got around Homeland Security regulations. Interesting to note that these tours never happened in the big towns, more so like Aurora, Indiana where I once toured the RBE. I hope GASC and ACL find ways to allow people to tour the boats as everyone here has pointed out, it's the absolute best marketing tool they have; for people in these small towns to be able to see exactly what inland cruising is all about firsthand. I can't tell you how many people I've met who've responded, after learning of my love of the river, how they've always wondered what it was like to cruise overnight on a riverboat/steamboat. Maybe something could be arranged through local travel agents including background checks, holding of drivers licenses, guests list published well in advance of the boats arrival. I think it could be done and would be worth the effort for the companies to look into this.

Thanks to all for your thoughts on this!

Aaron

I posted this on Facebook

Matthew Cooper:When the Delta Queen,American Queen,and Mississippi Queen docked in a town they would usually let people come aboard and take a tour of the boats will people be able to tour the Queen of the Mississippi when it docks in a town.

American Cruise Lines: Thanks for your question, Mr. Cooper. We are currently working on plans for this...please stay tuned for more information in the near future!

AQ question

While we're talking about the AQ, I was wondering if anyone knows if MAL saved the golden eagle shown in the picture attached? It was removed when MAL "uglified" her and was rumored to have been placed in storage. God only knows what their definition of storage means. Hopefully GASC has possession of it now so they can put it back in its place.

Aaron, I just sent you a nice long email to the address I have for you, and it got returned. Please email me so I can try it again. [email protected]

*RE: E=Mailing Aaron*

Hi, Aaron,
Juldy is right. I've also had your E=Mail here to send you some things but it also got bounced back. My E=Mail is: [email protected]

R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.

AJ, what all have said is true. I'm quite sure there is a good bit of latitude in the interpretation and application of the Homeland Security rules concerning large passenger vessels. That said, there are certainly many other issues for the company to consider when deciding whether or not to allow visitors.

As others have stated, good PR can equal future sales, and I, too, was smitten as a young teenager by visiting onboard the DQ. It garnered the company the sale of 4 trips for me before I decided to work rather than pay to ride. I would bet, however, that a low percentage of those who would tour actually become paying passengers. This is probably due to the high cost of taking a trip, and most who want to see the boat may dream of a cruise, but are unable to afford it. That in itself is not a reason to deny visitors, for some will become repeat passengers. The other big reason in later years for not allowing visitors was that the company (and some officers aboard) felt that the paying pax had "bought" the boat and should not have to put up with large numbers of the general public traipsing around on the boat they paid such good money to be aboard. There is some merit to that; some would not object, but some would, and with some good reason.

When the DELTA QUEEN was waging their big campaign in the 1970's, Betty Blake felt she needed every single advantage, and letting visitors aboard was one way to get folks to write letters to congress, as well as to show them the boat and hopefully get bookings. Nowadays, part of that incentive is gone. In short, I would think that it would not be impossible to get aboard as a visitor, but I would not look for "open house" tours that were common in the 1970's.

AJ Richardson;28784 wrote: Hey Matt and all,
I recall now that the River Explorer did allow visitors towards the end of her operating days.

Hi AJ,

Well, I can tell you that the one time we had to raft up against the River Barge Explorer, or whatever they called that thing, we were in Baton Rouge. We had to negotiate the rights for our crew to pass through their vessel to get ashore and I'm pretty sure their attitude had nothing to do with Homeland Security.

Paul

Good PR

I have to agree with everything that Bob Reynolds said about boat tours in the 1960's and 70's. That was how I became familiar and fell in love with steamboats. I would like to stress the point that even though many of the visitors would never be able to afford a cruise many of those people became strong supporters of the boat when it came time to write letters to congress to "Save the Queen" or to offer a ride to town and provide critical help in times of emergencies. A steamboat company cannot afford not to have too much good will with the general public.

Thanks to one and all for your responses. I guess the long and short of it is we will have to wait and see how the companies handle this when the boats are cruising once again.