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Delta
Queen loses another bid
that would allow it to operate
Rallies
are scheduled to build support
for historic vessel
By
Konnie McCollum
Staff Writer
(June 2008) – For years, residents
along the Ohio River have listened for the sound of a familiar
calliope to indicate the legendary Delta Queen, with her beautiful
red sternwheel, was nearing their towns. Unfortunately, however,
a defeat in the U.S. House of Representatives of an exemption
that would have allowed the historic steamboat to continue
operating may end Delta Queen trips up the Ohio River.
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Photo
by Don Ward
The
Delta Queen makes a stop in
Madison
in early May, a day after
winning the steamboat race at the
Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville.
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On April 24, a House rules committee voted 9-4
against allowing the amendment to the Coast Guard Reauthorization
Bill to reach the House floor. U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio,
used a parliamentary maneuver to bring the amendment to a
floor vote, but lawmakers defeated the measure by a vote of
208-195. U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind., voted for the extension.
Chabot blamed labor unions and partisan politics for the vote
rejecting the amendment that could have kept the Delta Queen
from having to end its overnight cruise packages.
The Queen must cease her long-distance voyages in November
2008 unless an exemption can be obtained from a federal law
forbidding wooden superstructures on vessels that carry 50
or more passengers on overnight trips, according to Majestic
America Line, which owns the boat.
The historic riverboat has been operating with a special Congressional
exemption from the federal Safety at Sea Act since 1968, an
exemption that has been renewed eight times. The safety act
bans the use of wooden vessels for overnight cruises. Backers
of the exemption claim the Delta Queen deserves special treatment
because of its historical significance and recently upgraded
fire-safety systems. With the exemption scheduled to expire
on Nov. 1, local Congressional members pushed for an extension
for months.
U.S. Rep James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, blocked the exemption
from reaching the House floor for a vote. In previous years,
and as recently as last year, Oberstar has voted at least
twice to support the Queen’s exemption.
Some of the opposition to the exemption had been blamed on
a labor dispute involving Majestic America Line, the company
that bought the Delta Queen in 2006.
The company did not renew a collective bargaining agreement
with the Seafarers International Union.after taking over management
of the Delta Queen.
The Seafarers union previously represented most Delta Queen
workers. The union had supported the exemption in the past,
but now opposes it, says Joseph McCarthy, general counsel
for Ambassadors International, which owns Majestic America
Line.
A statement on the union’s website adamantly denies that
it “could or would” guarantee approval of the waiver.
The statement said the union makes “every effort to assist
our contracted companies” and potentially could “present
a persuasive argument” concerning the exemption because
of its safety expertise.
During an interview in May when the Delta Queen made a stop
in Madison, Ind., Co-Captain Buford Wilson, who has worked
on the iconic steamboat for 27 years, said the entire company
is involved in trying to save the Delta Queen from forced
retirement. “We are doing everything we can,” he
said. Wilkinson feels that public support will help save the
Queen. “She’ll keep running,” he said.
Willkinson, who resides in Vicksburg, Miss., when he is not
aboard the Delta Queen, started as a deckhand and worked his
way up to captain. Paul Thoeney, of Franklin, La., shares
the responsibilities of piloting the treasured ship.
Sherrin and Ken Kraus, of Hanover Beach, Ind., were on hand
when the Delta Queen made its stop in Madison. They have taken
two cruises aboard the Delta Queen and have planned to be
on one of her final voyages in October.
“The tradition of the Delta Queen is important to people
who live on the river,” said Sherrin. “It is terrible
that she may be forced to retire.”
Betsy Coradine, of Indian Harbour, Fla., also stood at the
riverfront in support of the Delta Queen when she docked in
Madison. “The politicians don’t understand the tradition
and culture that surrounds the steamboat,” she said.
“She’s one of a kind; it doesn’t cost them
anything to vote in support of her.”
Built in 1926, the Delta Queen is registered as a National
Historic Landmark and is the last of thousands of operational
steam-powered stern-wheelers that used to be seen traveling
the rivers in the United States. She was inducted into the
National Maritime Hall of Fame in 2004.
A veteran of World War II and the only steamboat to transit
the Panama Canal, the Delta Queen has been host to three U.S.
presidents and a princess. Numerous celebrities and other
dignitaries have graced her hand-crafted decks and stately
rooms.
She can accommodate up to 176 passengers on her four luxurious
decks, and for years has been a beloved fixture along the
Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Arkansas, Black Warrior and
Cumberland rivers.
Though its decks and superstructure are wood, its hull is
steel. The boat’s state-of-the-art fire safety system
can instantly pinpoint any problem and is monitored 24 hours
a day.
Numerous rallies have been planned in support of the Delta
Queen along the Ohio River. On May 26, a rally was held in
Madison.
• For more information about efforts
to save the Delta Queen, visit: www.save-the-delta-queen.org.
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