Riverboats
Louisiana Association Picks New President
Louisiana's riverboat casino trade association chose Charles Barham, a former Ruston lawmaker, who served in the state Senate for 16 years, as its new president. Barham said one of his top priorities is to develop a positive image for the riverboat industry. He plans to launch a media campaign to inform the public about the positive effect of the riverboat gaming industry on the Louisiana economy. Louisiana's 13 riverboats paid $235 million in state taxes during the 1997-98 fiscal year, and the industry employs en estimated 14,060 workers.
Louisiana Association Picks New President
Louisiana's riverboat casino trade association chose Charles Barham, a former Ruston lawmaker, who served in the state Senate for 16 years, as its new president. Barham said one of his top priorities is to develop a positive image for the riverboat industry. He plans to launch a media campaign to inform the public about the positive effect of the riverboat gaming industry on the Louisiana economy. Louisiana's 13 riverboats paid $235 million in state taxes during the 1997-98 fiscal year
Former Louisiana Governor Indicted
Former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards and his son were indicted on federal charges in connection with a riverboat casino corruption investigation. Also charged in the case were three Edwards associates and a state senator. Edwards was charged with 30 counts, including racketeering, extortion, conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and illegal wiretapping, in connection with extracting money from applicants for riverboat casino licenses, or, in the case of the wiretapping
Major Bill Passed in Illinois
The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation eliminating the ban on riverboat gambling in Cook County, opening the way for a riverboat casino to be floated in a close-in suburb of Chicago, most likely Rosemont. Senate Bill (S.B.) 1017 also allows Illinois riverboat casino operators to operate permanently moored casinos. Under the bill, licensees may conduct gambling, whether on excursion cruises or on permanently moored platforms
Illinois Ensures City/County-Owned Casinos
Legislation introduced by Sen. Robert Molaro (D-Cook) provides if any riverboat gaming licenses are issued for Chicago or Cook County, they could go only to the county or municipal governing board. The governing board would then conduct an auction and grant the opportunity to manage the riverboat gaming operation to the highest qualified bidder. Senate Bill 1193 is intended to ensure if there are going to be riverboat casinos in Cook County
Possible Support for Riverboat Gaming
Illinois Gov. George Ryan signaled he may be willing to support the transfer of a dormant riverboat gaming license to Cook County, despite campaigning against the idea last year. While not explicitly endorsing a specific casino site, he acknowledged without the crucial support of legislators who want riverboat gaming in the county, no gambling package could move forward in the Illinois General Assembly. Cook County is the only Illinois county prohibited by law from having a riverboat casino
Odds are Improving for Riverboat Casino Employees Seeking Jones Act Seaman Status
In 1991, casinos were legalized in the state of Louisiana through the passage of the Louisiana Gaming Act. Riverboat casinos have been operational in the state since 1993. The Louisiana Gaming Act allows for fifteen riverboat licenses with mandatory Coast Guard certification of the vessels. The Act allows for both dockside and riverboat gaming. Five other states have riverboat casino gambling: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Mississippi
Lt. Robert E. Lee Riverboat at Auction
On December 19, 2008, the iconic Lt. Robert E. Lee riverboat will be sold to the highest bidder - regardless of price - at an unreserved public auction in St. Louis, Missouri. Built in 1969, the 19th-century replica riverboat served for decades as a popular restaurant and nightspot on the Mississippi River; it was extensively renovated in 2000-01. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers will sell the riverboat along with a large selection of heavy equipment and trucks at its upcoming unreserved public
Mississippi River Boat Clone Nears Completion
Paddle wheel installed on 'Queen of the Mississippi't American Cruise Lines announce the latest development in the construction of its brand new authentic 150-passenger paddlewheeler, the Queen of the Mississippi, as it nears completion at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. Last week, the massive 23-ton, 28 foot-wide paddlewheel built specially for the new riverboat was lifted and installed. “This marks an important step in the creation of this authentic riverboat
American Cruise Lines’ Paddlewheeler Completes Sea Trial
American Cruise Lines announced that, on March 18, the Queen of the Mississippi left the pier at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, for its first sea trial. The vessel performed perfectly, as the huge paddlewheel churned the water and onlookers lined the riverbanks to watch. “The Queen of the Mississippi sets a new standard in river cruising and raises the bar for grand travel on the Mississippi River,” said Charles A. Robertson, President of American Cruise Lines
Obama's Title XI Policy Challenged by AFP
American Flagship Project challenges President Obama to explain why his Administration has blocked America’s entry into the $40 billion-a-year foreign-dominated cruise sector. The Obama Administration has announced a policy prohibiting the use of its Title XI ship financing program for
Alaska Cruise Inaugural a Success Says ACL
Well-received American Cruise Lines' Alaska Inside Passage cruises to be offered again in 2013. American Cruise Lines , a leading operator of riverboats and small cruise ships in the United States, announces the conclusion and success of its inaugural 2012 season in Alaska
ACL Purchases Historic Steam Calliope
Original calliope from 1880-built paddlewheel steamboat to be placed aboard Queen of the Mississippi. American Cruise Lines, operator of the newest riverboats and small cruise ships in the United States, is pleased to announce it has just acquired a 132-year-old Nichol steam calliope to
PVA Elects 2013 President, Officers and Board
During the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2013, held February 16 - 19, in Jacksonville, FL, members of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) elected Carolyn Horgan, Blue & Gold Fleet, San Francisco, CA, as PVA President for 2013.
NAB Hosts Swift Boat Memorial
Visitors and military personnel get an up close glimpse at one the few remaining Vietnam War riverboats at the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument. Veterans, Sailors and their families attended a remembrance ceremony at the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument put on by the Swift Boat Sailors Association
PVA Elects New President, Officers,Board
PVA members, during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2010 in Tampa, Fla., elected Kevin Stier as President. Captain Stier is owner of River Cruises, Scales Mound, Ill.. River Cruises operates the 149 passenger Riverboat Twilight that offers two-day overnight cruises on the Upper
PVA Elects New Officers and Board
At the 2010 Passenger Vessel Association Convention at MariTrends in Tampa, Fla., the members of the PVA elected their new officers and board members. The new officers are: President Captain Kevin Stier, River Cruises, Scales Mound, Ill. Vice President
Ellicott Dredges 125th Anniversary
Ellicott Dredges, founded in 1885, celebrated its 125th anniversary by taking a dinner cruise around the Port of Baltimore aboard the turn of the century paddlewheel riverboat The Black-Eyed Susan. The Port (which Ellicott's predecessors helped create in the 1700s with the first dredge
HydroComp Announces PropExpert 2010
HydroComp PropExpert is a software tool for the sizing and analysis of propellers for workboats and pleasure craft. It provides the tools needed for the proper selection of propulsion system components - engine, gear and propeller. Development in 2010 has produced a number of new features for
Philadelphia Belle Interior by Directions In Design, Inc.
The marine interior planning team at Directions In Design, Inc. (DID) has completed the interior design for the total renovation of Philadelphia’s newest dining/entertainment venue, the Philadelphia Belle. DID provided theme development; space planning; and selections and specifications for
Wärtsilä Dual-Fuel Technology for River Towboats
The Mississippi River and other inland rivers of the United States are home to several thousand towboats. They are vital carriers of goods and materials, and an important element within the country's overall transportation system. Current and future environmental restrictions on emissions are
Leading Austrian Shipyard Selects Paramarine For River Vessel Design
Portsmouth, UK – 29th March 2011 - QinetiQ GRC, the developer of Paramarine advanced marine design software, has been selected by Öswag, one of Austria’s leading shipyards to assist them in the design of river vessels. They will be using Paramarine for stability calculations and
HMS Completes Purchase of American Queen
HMS Global Maritime completed the purchase of the steamboat American Queen. Built in 1995, the American Queen, at 419-feet long, is the largest, most opulent riverboat ever built and offers 222 staterooms and suites that accommodate 436 guests attended to by a crew of 160.
OSHA Settles Whistleblower Case
US Department of Labor's OSHA settles whistleblower case against New Orleans-based riverboat company; Agency found employee was illegally terminated under Seaman's Protection Act. The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with St
'Queen of Mississippi' Heads for New Orleans
Repositioning cruise follows early completion of American Cruise Lines’ 'Queen of the Mississippi' authentic riverboat construction Newly built and completed, American Cruise Lines' Queen of the Mississippi docked at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD