News on the JBS

This is great news. While doing some nosing around I found that it appears her COI is up to date, which makes even better news. Can't wait to see more about his. You can get to the COI information from this link, just type in JULIA BELLE SWAIN in the "vessel name" box.

Coast Guard Vessel Search

Documentation = COI ?

Using this site I found the DELTA QUEEN and her documentation goes through August 2013. I think documentation and COI are two different things, but have no proof of this belief...

Kevin,

Check out the official United States Coast Guard page for more detail on the current situation of the JULIA BELLE SWAIN. I hate to burst your bubble, but she does not currently have a COI (Certificate of Inspection). Her Certificate of Documentation (COD) is also expired at this time according to the USCG's own website (the governing body who issues such documentation). This NOAA website is unknown to me. I rely on the USCG website as they are the licensing body and have direct access to the licenses and documents they issue.

USCG CGMIX PSIX Vessel Details Page

I wish I was wrong in saying this. Because I would love nothing more than to hear her whistle break out in the silence of a spring morning, to watch her paddlewheel making lazy circles in the calm waters of the river, or to hear the sounds of happiness and laughter from her decks again. Having done a great deal of research into the JULIA BELLE SWAIN and a possible operation for her I can tell you with out a doubt it can be done. However, it isn't going to be easy going for any potential operator.

Yes, these documents can be had for the boat. She is not inoperable by any stretch of the means. There will be a huge amount of work go into her before the USCG blesses her with these required documentations. There is a big difference between a COD (the vessels official USCG document file) and a COI. The COI is mandatory before the first paying passenger can board the vessel. This is a certificate issued by the Officer In Charge of the Port only after the vessel passes all safety inspections and is proven to adhere to all of the rules set forth in the Current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR's). It is a very rigorous series of inspections and tests to make sure the vessel and her crew are properly fit to safely carry passengers. The United States Coast Guard are routinely the butt of jokes and ridicule for their rigorous inspections and a laundry list of CFR's to adhere to. The fact of the matter is we in the United States have the toughest and most stringent laws of any nation in the maritime industry. We also have the smallest loss of life in our marine industry of any nation. So the sward cuts both ways. I for one, am a big fan of the USCG. Accidents will happen...but, the USCG makes sure a boat has everything necessary to avoid them and a trained crew to assist if something does happen.

The JULIA BELLE last had an amended (meaning "in lay up" status...or out of service with out mandatory crew) COI in May of 2012. To get a new one, any and all required maintenance and repairs noted by the last inspecting officer must be done. In addition the vessel must be brought up to the all of the standards of the CFR's as they stand today. Although I am not in possession of this exact document, I am very well aware of the scope involved here and it ain't gonna be bandaids and paint to get pax back on her. I can assure you of that. Someone is going to put a great deal of back breaking labor and money into her before she is out of the woods.

The good news is JULIA BELLE can run again. She is not in such shape that she could not be restored and returned to operation. From my experience with her (and these recent musings in the news) I expect we will soon hear word that she will. I can't tell you how excited I am for the boat and her potential new crew. There is nothing more exciting than bringing a boat back to life that has been laid up. I have done it several times in my career on the river. Sure, it is hard work...but the rewards are great in the end! However, the potential operator will most likely not be able to run her until next year as they will have a huge backlog of maintenance and repair items to do before she is ready to apply for her new COD and COI...much less ready to run.

I do not know who this potential operator is. However, I wish them great success with her and all the best in bringing back this inland rivers icon. May the wind always be at her stern and her boilers filled with the liquid dreams are made of! Godspeed, JULIA BELLE!

Bubble not bursted, I was just posting what I found and read on that website. I figured that if it were true, it would be a major help to whomever is trying to purchase her. I too am just so glad to hear of some really interested parties.