PEQUOT RIVER SHIPWORKS

Uniworld to Bid for Delta Queen Steamboat

Uniworld intends to bid for the assets of New Orleans-based Delta Queen Steamboat Company. The assets include the Delta Queen Steamboat trademarks and logos plus the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen, the classic American river steamboats. "As the leading provider of river cruise vacations for Americans in Europe, it is logical for Uniworld to expand its fleet to include vessels operating on the fascinating rivers of the United States," said Serba Ilich, President and CEO. "The acquisitions of the magnificent Mississippi Queen and the legendary Delta Queen would be a huge honor for our company, considering the great historic and commercial significance of the steamboats in the development of America," Ilich stated. "We feel the synergies generated by our Uniworld river cruise operations in Europe and the Delta Steamboat Company would be tremendous. In addition, Uniworld is a strong supporter of the agency community and we feel that Uniworld ownership would allow agents to again sell the Mississippi cruise product with confidence," Ilich added. Uniworld operates its Europe river cruises through its wholly owned European subsidiary Global River Cruises. With 15 ships under ownership or long-term lease, Global River Cruises is Europe's leading river cruise line. Ilich said he would locate the North American headquarters of Global River Cruises in New Orleans to take advantage of the synergies presented by the acquisition of Delta Queen Steamboat Company.

Frelinghuysen Directs Corps To Maintain Lower Miss. River

The Big River Coalition praised the efforts of the Chairman of the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the entire Louisiana Congressional delegation for their efforts to have the U.S. Corps of Engineers maintain the Lower Mississippi River to its project dimension.   As the House of Representatives considers a Continuing Resolution to fund the Federal government through Sept. 30, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of N.J

Inland Awards Conferred in Paducah

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), organized the 12th Annual River Bell Awards Luncheon in Paducah, KY on Thursday, December 8, 2011. The awards paid tribute to three individuals whose labors have significantly enriched America’s waterways. A crowd of 335 joined SCI’s River Bell Awards committee in commending the work of Joseph H. Pyne, Chairman & CEO of Kirby Corporation; Eddie Conrad; and RADM Mary E

Cruise Ship Breaks Free from Moorings

Coast Guard Lt. Ronald Fogan and Petty Officer 2nd Class Josh Hobson review the voyage data recorder of the cruise ship Ecstasy, while some of the ship’s officers look on. The Coast Guard received a report that the Ecstasy, currently housing New Orleans Police Department officers, had broken free from its moorings at the Poland Street Wharf and was drifting down the Mississippi River near downtown New Orleans. Fogan, a foreign vessel inspector, and Hobson, a marine investigator

USACE Details Mississippi Lock And Dam Closures

Several locks and dams on the upper Mississippi River will be closed to all navigation from January to early March for maintenance and repairs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said. Bill Gretten, chief of the lock and dam section of the Corps' Mississippi River Project, said maintenance is normally done in the winter when parts of the river are frozen and vessels are unable to navigate through the ice. Although the weather has been moderate so far this year

Cruise Ships on the River – 'Viking Longship' Christening

River cruise line,Viking River Cruises, names first of four new luxury river cruise boats in Amsterdam Viking River Cruises christened the first four of its new Viking Longships in Amsterdam, in the presence of appointed celebrity 'Godparents' for all four new ships. Accommodating 190 passengers, the new Viking Longships are 443 feet (135 meters) long and feature 95 staterooms per ship and are scheduled to sail four of Viking's most popular European itineraries, including the River Danube

Low Mississippi Water Levels Threaten US Economy

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) & Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) warn barge transportation could stop in December. AWO and WCI call  upon Congress and the Administration to address a developing situation on the Mississippi River which could effectively bring commerce on the Mighty Mississippi to a halt in early December. Water releases from dams on the upper Missouri River are planned to be significantly scaled back later this month and these reductions are expected

Fernandez Joins HMS Global Maritime

HMS Global Maritime has hired Mark Fernandez as General Manager of the Oklahoma City River Transit operation. Fernandez will oversee and manage Oklahoma River Cruises’ three-vessel operation along the seven-mile stretch of the Oklahoma River. Each vessel carries up to 49 passengers on scheduled ferry service from the Meridian Landing, the newly added Exchange Terminal and Regatta Park, with charter services also available.

Warmer Temperatures, But Mississippi Traffic Still Slow

Warmer temperatures across the U.S. Midwest were seen easing navigation on the Mississippi River near St. Louis but barge traffic continued slow on the Illinois River due to ice buildup, river officials said. "Milder temperatures over the weekend cleared the navigational channel of ice in the St. Louis area and water levels are about foot higher than they were a week ago," said Charles Camillo, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman at St. Louis.

Corps Selects Weston/Bean for $75M Dredging Contract

Weston Solutions, Inc, and joint venture partner Bean Environmental LLC (Weston/Bean) announced an initial $11.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) - Jacksonville District for dredging and sediment disposal on the Miami River. "The Miami River project epitomizes our approach to the ports and waterways business," stated Patrick G. McCann, WESTON President and Chief Executive Officer. "By delivering integrated dredging