Save the Delta Queen Campaign
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Save the Delta Queen Campaign web sites:
steamboats.org *
save-the-delta-queen.org *
savethedeltaqueen.com *
Minnesotans for the Delta Queen *
DQ bumper stickers, pins
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Save the Delta Queen Campaign News
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Dredging work on the Ohio River in Western Kentucky has forced the historic Delta Queen to reroute a river tour to Chattanooga. See the WRCB TV report: WRCBTV.com June/July 2008. Here's another report: podcast
Dear Members of Congress,
My name is Charles Greene. My dad, Robert Greene, was ferried off to his WWII troop ship in San Francisco Bay aboard the Delta Queen, which then returned loaded with wounded troops. My dad came back from the war. Far too many did not.
In 1947, my grandfather's cousin, TomGreene, bought the Delta Queen, had her towed from California to Cincinnati, and put her into operation carrying passengers up and down the Mississippi River and its tributaries just as steamboats had done for more than 100 years.
Today the Delta Queen is the only remaining genuine steamboat carrying overnight passengers on our inland waterways. On her travels, she brings much-needed tourist revenue to many river towns, which will now be needed all the more after the devastating effects of the recent floods on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.
Yet now some members of Congress want to put her out of business because she doesn't comply with a provision of a law that was never intended for riverboats.
The Delta Queen survived being towed through the Panama Canal without incident, and has served honorably and faithfully for more than 80 years without any serious safety incidents. The Delta Queen survived the recession that followed the attacks of 9-11, and Hurricane Katrina (although her then-owners did not). She is surviving $140/bbl oil.
But there is a good chance that the Delta Queen cannot survive her most lethal challenge to date: the inaction of Congress. Without an exemption to legal restrictions due to her wooden superstructure, this will be her last season.
To some in Congress the facts do not matter. They care only about the letter of a misapplied law. So to all of you I ask this question: Come July 4th, just what the hell are we celebrating?
Charles Greene
PO Box 218
Lewisburg, KY 42256
Ph/fax 270-755-5904
More Credible Rumors Published
The Evansville Courier Press published more speculation about who is trying to buy the Delta Queen in their June 21, 2008 article, "Hotel plan latest in long list," by Dan Shaw. Read original - click here. It says, in part:
"In recent months, Hukill has talked about buying the Delta Queen paddle boat, which takes travelers on tours of the Ohio River. "In April, Ambassadors International Inc. announced it would sell the Delta Queen and other boats it owns through its subsidiary, Majestic America Line. "Vanessa Bloy, a spokeswoman with the company, said several credible offers have been received for all or some of the properties, declining to elaborate. "Hukill is perhaps best known as the owner of Ohio River Boat Cruises, which she started in 2004. The business brings riverboats to Evansville and arranges trips for passengers."
WARNING: This page contains rumors, gossip, innuendo, and general hysteria. Please try to look on the bright side. Recent rallies in Marietta, Cincinnati, and other river cities prove over and over the devotion that people feel for our Queen. The boat will be saved. These are just stumbling blocks along the way. Let us stick together and make miracles come true. - Editor
New "news" about the "rumor" below: June 20, 2008 11 a.m. - Majestic American Line is allegedly playing the Steamboat Community for who will save the Delta Queen. They might be trying to up the price, claiming that a "municipality" has already put in a sizable offer. If you have any inside information on the situation, please write to the Steamboats.com tip line: email - click here or call Nori (480) 275-7889. Everything will be kept confidential and we will protect your anonymity if you say too much.
4 p.m. / note below: Now a few hours have passed, the steamboat community has communicated and we stand together to save the Delta Queen. Several groups have been negotiating for the boat. However, we call on Majestic America Line and Ambassadors International to declare peace in the steamboat war. If we save the Delta Queen your company will prosper again - the albatross lifted - and the Delta Queen can go on her merry way plying the muddy waters of the Mississippi River system.
Latest rumors from the Delta Queen grapevine . . .
A blogger from New Orleans posted the following at the Steamboats.org bulletin board. Here at Steamboats.com, I can confirm that the same rumors have drifted by here, giving us hope that there is light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. - Editor
"Rumor has it that there is a legitimate and serious prospective buyer for all three steamers [DQ, AQ, MQ] for only a paltry 33 million and who plans to renovate and operate all three boats if the DQ gets another exemption. At this point and time its only rumor but I have this from a fairly reliable source and time will tell. Smooth Sailing! Ted Davisson
Supporters rally to save the Delta Queen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
According to a Majestic America Line press release the historic steamboat DELTA QUEEN has been denied a renewal of her exemption from Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations by the US Congress. This means the Steamer DELTA QUEEN will not be allowed to serve as an overnight passenger vessel after the actual exemption from the law expires in November 2008.
Steamboat enthusiasts in states along the boat's route have started a campaign to save the DELTA QUEEN and find a way to gain an exemption.
The June 12th rally is open to the public and will feature speakers from the American Sternwheel Association, Senator Joy Padgett, state and local government representatives, and other noted officials. Musical entertainment will feature Tony Ellis, banjo player formerly with Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys and the Ralph Stanley Band, and Mayor Michael Moon Mullen, as well as the barbershop quartette harmony of the Treblemakers. WMOA Radio will host a live radio remote during the rally. Other regional media professionals will be in attendance covering the event as well.
The public is encouraged to bring their lunch to the levee and join in the rally. Petitions in support of Congress continuing to exempt the DELTA QUEEN from the SOLAS regulations will be circulated during the rally for signatures. The petitions will be delivered to Congress by Save the Delta Queen campaign representatives.
The DELTA QUEEN is America's oldest operating overnight steamboat. She was built in 1927, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a designated National Historic Landmark.
To learn more about the grass-roots effort visit www.save-the-delta-queen.org, or contact Kelly Blazosky, CVB Executive Director, Marietta, Washington County CVB office, 740-373-5178; or Vicki Webster of the Save the Delta Queen Campaign at 513-381-3571 or email.
For larter, printable posters, click here.
Save the Queen!
More Rallies are Planned
Come out to support the boat:
The Delta Queen will be on hand for all three of these events. Please urge everyone you know to come out and join us!
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) - Madison, Indiana: Madison Landing from noon to 1:00 p.m. Entertainment by the Ohio River Minstrels
Thursday, June 12 - Marietta, Ohio: At the Public Landing in front of the Lafayette Hotel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 pm. Entertainment by The Musicians of Braeburn and the Treblemakers
Friday, May 23 - Henderson, Kentucky: Audubon Mill Park beginning at 1:30 p.m. Entertainment by a bluegrass band assembeled by the International Bluegrass Museum
Nashville, Tennessee [date not finalized]
Help save the Delta Queen!
Join the Save the Delta Queen Phone Tree - click here for more information.
Photos from the May 5 rally in Cincinnati:
Call your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative. Ask them to save the Delta Queen, a worthy national landmark.
Parent Company Ambassador International
Releases Information on Delta Queen's Future
On May 9, 2008, at 7:20 AM, Chuck Greene wrote:
Below are my comments and excerpted quotes from the AMIE May 6th conference call (my comments are in italics)
Chuck
Quotes below are of Joe Ueberroth - Ambassadors International, Inc. - Chairman and CEO
- What was this about? Did they not know the date of the Kentucky Derby?
"..we needed to utilize a tug to get the Delta Queen up river to arrive on time for the Kentucky Derby,"
- Were they finally "getting it", but too late?"
"We have learned the hard way that our product is not about Trumpeter Swans, a new brand, and high thread counts, but instead it's about our great heritage, small American towns and its people, Mark Twain and that underlying seduction or pull to the river."
- An admission of the core issue concerning the Delta Queen, and a ray of hope?
"A new owner will not have the ire of the Seafarers International Union, or Congressman Oberstar and will have a real chance of ensuring that the Delta Queen will operate for future generations."
***
Quotes below are of Blake Barnett - Ambassadors International, Inc. - CFO
"Majestic America Line operated three ships in the first quarter of this year as well as last year, and had slightly lower revenue on the quarter."
- Majestic, or at least the Delta Queen, did increase bookings:
"Passenger and participant deposits increased by just under, $14 million which is due to seasonal bookings in Majestic."
- Blue sly is alive and well at AMIE. WHAT "seven vessels" in Majestic? He is talking about Majestic & must suddenly throw in Windstar.
"As of March 31, Majestic America Line represented approximately $134 million in total assets and $110 in total liabilities. As we indicated in our press release last week, our plan is to operate the vessels throughout the 2008 season. Assuming that all current assets and current liabilities unwind over the sailing season, we would expect to be left with fixed assets of roughly $107 million related to our seven vessels. Liabilities would be about $65 million, related to the debt on the American Queen and Empress of the North."
- Their credit card processing company was not amused:
"On April 1st of this year we received notice from our credit card processor that they intend to increase Majestic's restricted cash for a second time. This amount will be $5 million above what I discussed last quarter. The new target level of restricted cash for Majestic is now $20 million. The additional reserve will be built up over the next two to three months."
WIN SOME & LOSE SOME
Jaison Blair - Rochdale Research - Analyst
"Okay and then the last question I have for you is on the last call we had talked about Majestic's break even for '08 being somewhere in the $100 to $110 million revenue range and to kind of place that into a frame of reference your '07 Majestic revenues were $70 million. So, I guess you would need to add $20 to $30 million dollars of addition revenue above your '07 run rate. On the fourth quarter release you had booking trends were $6 million ahead of where they were last year. However on your Q1 release your booking trends are $1 million behind. So, basically, everything you are making up on the Mississippi you are losing on the Columbia River and in Alaska. So, should I adjust my expectation that - candidly my expectation has been that you won't reach break even for Majestic. However, if your bookings are behind where they were last year, while you may be able to reduce your operating cost to some extent and I believe you have, my guess is I should expect a loss from Majestic - an operating loss from Majestic in '08."
Joe Ueberroth - Ambassadors International, Inc. - Chairman and CEO
"Jaison, on the last call I said that we needed bookings to return to our previous pace - our previous internal pace and we couldn't have any incidences. Neither of those things occurred and so if we continue to operate as usual, we would have had a significant loss. However, with the decision to sell Majestic America Line there is - we are reducing expenses significantly because a lot of the expenses that we incur in 2008 are for 2009. Probably will be a slight loss for 2008 but the model changes because of the actions we have taken. "
Editor's note - On May 9, 2008, at 11:49 AM, Chuck Greene wrote: Nori, you can post whatever you want. FN said the "seven vessels" included the Mississippi Queen & Contessa, but they are talking about [first quarter 2008] results. They sold the Contessa & put the MQ out of service [last year].
Read entire conference call transcript - click here.
Other Steamboat News
On Jun 6, 2008, at 5:34 PM, Desiree wrote:
Hello there,
My name is Desiree Williams and I am looking to sell our replica paddlewheeler the Delta Lady. I have attached her specs and a photo. Her current home is here in Fort Myers FL. The owner is asking $250k but is willing to negotiate.
We are hoping to find a buyer that will love her as much as we have.
Desiree Williams
Delta Lady
18400 San Carlos Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
239-895-1836 email
Boat for Sale - the "Victory 1"
On June 14, we went to San Rafael (North San Francisco Bay Area), to consider a sixty-five-foot water taxi that is for sale. The location is the main attraction - the marina is adjacent to the progressive downtown area of San Rafael, which is walker friendly, and they have street festivals and farmers markets. Marina / slip fees are $450 per month and the boat itself is $22k. It would be perfect for someone who wants to live in a community of $1m+ homes, for under $1k a month.
The current owner installed a galley and head (no toilet, but the marina facilities are nearby).
This is
the wheel house. It is a working boat.The indoor cabin area is large enough for living quarters for one or two people, but needs to be remodeled. I loved the idea of a challenge like this, but the weather is too cold for me (I live near Phoenix, Arizona, and love the warm climate). Redoing the boat will take a while - better plan to do it over a summer, when the days warm up pretty well. If a primary residence or vacation home on a boat in walking distance to a tony Bay Area downtown area sounds like your dream come true, contact Brad.
His other boat is a historic water taxi, the Warden Johnston. He would consider selling this one, but no price is set, and he has not put it on the market yet. He said he woud like to "focus on selling the Warden as a business opportunity in the non-profit sector, it fits the bill in all the important 501(c)3 criteria." The boat was used to ferry passengers to and from Alcatraz and could go back into service - this time for tourists. Here is a PDF with the entire history of the boat, along with additional photos: click here for Warden Johnston history.
Sorry, no paddle wheels on these two, but they are worthy vessels! Contact Brad email or phone 415-302-0103.
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On Apr 30, 2008, at 6:18 PM, Charles Miller wrote:
Nori,
Its official - Loyalhanna Dockyard was awarded the Hartman Fiberglass line & expect to be selling the DQ kits later this summer. Feel free to spread the word on your site.
BTW, I was advised yesterday by another hobbyist that Saito has discontinued their DQ kit, but I've not seen anything official from Loyalhanna who carries the Saito line. If so, the awarding of Hartman today is very good news for anyone who wants to build the Delta Queen!
All the best,
Chuck
Begin forwarded message:
From: LHDockyard
Date: May 1, 2008 8:06:30 AM CST
Subject: Hartman Fiberglass
We would like to announce that the Company formerly known as Hartman Fiberglass R/C, owned and operated by Dwight Hartman, has found a permanent home. With the passing of Mr. Hartman, the continuation of his legacy and specialized line of Fiberglass Hulls & Accessories has been of concern to many. Loyalhanna Dockyard has officially won the bid for the purchase of Hartman Fiberglass R/C and we are getting ready to move the facility to the Western New York area.
We are expecting it to take several weeks to be up and running efficiently, but we will be updating everyone as we make progress.
We are very excited and looking forward to not only offering the entire Hartman line but also adding to the line. We will be designing a new Catalog just for the Hartman line and also building a website. Renee will be hard at work putting these together in the upcoming weeks.
Please keep checking the website(s) for updates and feel free to email us or contact us with questions.
As Always,
Don & Renee
email for info.
email Don
email Renee
585-494-0027 Telephone
Loyalhanna Dockyard
Tubmans Plans
7527 Gilbert Road
Bergin, NY 14416
(585) 494-0027 Tel.
(585) 494-1369 Fax
www.hartmanmodelboats.com
www.loyalhannadockyard.com
www.taubmansonline.com
Attention 1975 - 1985 Delta Queen Alumni
Looking for Delta Queen employees who worked on the boat between the years of 1975 and 1985. A reunion is being planned in Cincinnati the weekend of June 6, 2008. For further information contact Tracey Smith - click here.
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