NEW ORLEANS STEAMBOAT

Delta Queen Named Ship of the Year

Legendary Delta Queen, a National Historic Landmark, has been named Ship of the Year by the Steamship Historical Society of America. "Delta Queen is the last operating steamboat of her era and is one of the most historic vessels in the world," said William duBarry, president of the society. "No other vessel still operating in the U.S. is as historically important as she. Our members appreciate the commitment The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. has made in preserving her for the enjoyment of current future passengers." Delta Queen was launched on the Sacramento River in 1927, and offered overnight service between Sacramento and San Francisco until 1940. When the Great Depression brought an end to her trips, the U.S. Navy leased Delta Queen as a troops barracks and then a shuttle for a servicemen traveling to and from ships in San Francisco Bay. At the war's end, Delta Queen was auctioned to Capt. Tom Greene, president of Cincinatti's Greene Line Steamers (now the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. of New Orleans). In 1946, he brought Delta Queen on a 5,200-mile journey from the West Coast to the Mississippi River system, where she resumed service as a vacation boat. Today, the authentic steam paddlewheeler and her newer sisters, Mississippi Queen and American Queen, visit the the nation's heartland and the Old South on three- to 14-night cruises.

Majestic to Upgrade Cruise Ships

Majestic America Line said that it plans upgrades to its entire fleet of cruise ships next year. Majestic established a Midwest operations office in St. Louis this fall. State room upgrades on the company's seven ships will include upgraded mattresses and linens, massage shower heads, and spa-quality robes and toiletries. Flat screen televisions with DVD players will be added on the American Queen, Mississippi Queen and Contessa ships.

Nichols Brothers Launch Sternwheeler Cruise Ship

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders of Whidbey Island and Seattle-based American West Steamboat Company, owned by Henry Hillman, Jr., CEO of Oregon Rail Corp., have launched the newly constructed overnight sternwheeler cruise ship Empress of the North. Beginning at 5:00am on Monday, June 16, 2003, the 360-foot sternwheeler was transferred on a specially designed rail system into Holmes Harbor, where it launched at high tide at approximately 8:45pm

FMC Issues Notice

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice stating that an item has been added to the schedule for the closed portion of the FMC meeting on January 30, 2002. The Commission has added consideration of an application of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. to approve a revised escrow agreement for its passenger vessel certificate of financial responsibility. Source: HK Law

Emerging from Fog

By Larry Pearson The various segments of the passenger vessel industry have undergone significant transformation in the last 12 months. It looks stronger as we head into the last six months of the year with ferries and charter yachts leading the way. Frankly, a year ago the passenger vessel industry was in some disarray faced with developing a security plan to meet the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 passed in Congress in wake of terrorism threats

This Day in Coast Guard History – April 21

1838- The passenger steamboat Oronoko suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion while tied up at Princeton, Mississippi that killed over 100 passengers.  This was one of three fatal steamboat boiler explosions within as many months that forced the Federal Government to begin regulating merchant steam vessels. 1910- U.S. Government took over the sealing operation of Pribiloff Islands from private lessees. 1924- In an effort to increase the number of cutters available for Prohibition

Port Management Program for Officials

Senior port officials and maritime industry executives interested in learning the latest port operation, planning and management techniques can participate in the 16th annual International Program for Port Planning and Management (IPPPM), to be held in New Orleans, March 13-24, 2000. The intensive training program offers maritime industry leaders from around the world a unique opportunity for further professional education and personal enrichment

MarAd Approves Sale and Transfer of Five Vessels

The Maritime Administration (MarAd) has approved the sale and transfer of five vessels under section 9 of the Shipping Act, of 1916, as amended. MarAd has approved an application filed by Zapata Gulf Pacific, L.L.C., of New Orleans, Louisiana for the sale of the offshore supply Adam Tide Official No. 1062708, to Tidewater Boat Limited, New Orleans, Louisiana, a Cayman Island corporation, and the transfer of said vessel to Vanuatu registry and flag.

WTC Assoc. Plans General Assembly in New Orleans

The World Trade Centers Association will hold its 38th General Assembly in New Orleans Oct. 21-24. The assembly will attract delegates from around the globe to the Crescent City. The event will include seminars, briefings, guest speakers, business networking and tours. It is hosted by the World Trade Center of New Orleans in cooperation with WTCA headquarters.

Goodier Honored as Distinguished Lawyer

Jones Walker is pleased to announce that Glenn G. Goodier, a partner in the firm's Admiralty & Maritime practice was honored by the New Orleans Bar Association as the 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Maritime Lawyer award.   The awards program was held on October 24, 2011, at the JW Marriott, New Orleans. The Honorable Joy Clement was one of those honoring Mr. Goodier at the luncheon. Mr. Goodier obtained his juris doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law