More news concering the SS Independence

Still trying to confirm this with Alex and Corey

http://www.mvariety.com/?module=disp...14&format=html



Looks like we may have made a difference after all

Also I have been Told by Corey that the SS United States still contains PCBs and Asbestos in her engineering spaces, which is not much, but enough to make a fuss about. I am still hoping for a maricle rescue of the Big U, although nothing has really changed since 1996, in the back of my mind I am hoping that NCL will come though, but recent events say otherwise

First the Pride of Hawaii was transfered from NCL America, now the Pride of Aloha will leave, I can only wonder how long the Pride of America will last by herself. If anyone knows some rich friends that want to buy a rusted old ship with loads of possible uses, now would be a good time to speak

Glad to hear about the Independence. That's at least one ship that won't contribute to the coming epidemy of cancer in Alaung. If the detention holds, the fight as to who's responsible for cleaning the ship up could hold her for a while.

Incidentally, if this make the news, the group might have ultimately hurt their cause. Who'd want a cruise boat full of toxic materials?

The only reason these ships were ever flagged in America is to avoid having to meet the "Distant port" requirement for Hawaiian cruises. If the market shifted away from Hawai, or it became more cost-effective to do the distant port thing again, then the company has to reflag in *mumblemumble* to maintain competivity. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but that's the way the industry goes. As long as there's a market for the Pride of America, she'll stay... But with the current economic situation, it's not likely. My friends on cruise ships are updating their resumes right now.

yes but our goal was not to return her to service, but to have her turned into a hotel/museum ship.

The major problem facing all operators of old ships right now is the new SOLAS 2010 regulations. most of these old ex liners would require extensive rebuilding to meet the new regulations, so we are trying to take the best and most well know ships and get them preserved as static hotel/museum's

if SOLAS was not due to take effect for another 10 years, sure, keep them sailing, but its only 2 years around the corner

I have been told by a single person that the ship being turned away from Hawaii was a lie that I made up, he said he had read news against it

of course, after over 3 hours reading news.....I have not found anything to confirm that report......I think he was just trying to make me look like an idiot.....which of course made him look like an idiot...because he had no clue what he was talking about.

In fact, I found a story today that the Coast Guard in Hawaii released, saying that the ship is no threat to public health, but allowing the ship in would put Hawaii in legal trouble in case of a court case....which is exactly what we told them would happen according to the Basal Convention. Looks like they did listen to us afterall.

So the ship is suppose to be on her way to Guam, although no request for entry has been filed, so she very well may not end up in guam. That all the information I have

I have also read that several groups are talking with NCL that should they not restore the ship, to come up with some deal with NCL that avoids having the ship scrapped. I myself have been trying to contact NCL, will try again today with the hope of better luck.

So the saga continues....

There have been precedents of scrappers saying one thing when the tow starts, then doing something entirely different. Especially if the tow has attracted public or legal attention... If the USCG interfered with the process, that ship probably isn't going to put into a US controlled port again.

But tows are slow, so they have plenty of time to fill a NOA.

We cant save every ship that had some past, eventually it would either just fall apart, become uneconomical, sink, capsize ect ect.

oriana the origional one she ended her days in a chinese breakers,

canberra a falklands war vetran one of only two liners that saw active service since WW2

QE2 she is being sold i bet she too ends in a breakers in india some day

the only few ships i know that have defied is the HMS Victory, and the only reason she is maintained to the standard she is, is simply because she remains the flag ship of the royal navy.

yes but these two (Independence and the United States) have history behind they, more so in the United States, but the Independence also has had her own fame

Overall, the most important ship right now to Save, is the SS United States. She means more then any other ships on our watch list combined. She is the biggest and best America has ever built. And hopfully with time, she will be born into a second life as the National Icon that she is

And the saga continues....

The Independence has disapeared from the map completly, no one has any idea where the ship is anymore, and as far as I know, the tug has no refueled anywhere. Last I heard, the EPA (taking our advice) wants to conduct tests on the ship to decide wheather she contains toxic material.

SS United States is still sitting. We have recieved some new intelegence (sounds like a war for the ship almost....) that is pretty worrying, and are working to confirm and prevent any danger to the ship, were not waiting this time, were going to act right now!!

Alex and Corey have been working on "something" and cannot tell me but, but I can say I cant wait to hear what it is. From how Corey mentioned it, it sounds exciting, but then again, it may turn out to be noting

I have been talking with Susan Gibbs (granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs, the ships desinger) who runs the SS United States Concervancy, and according to her, there are efforts in play for a post NCL era for the ship, who knows what that could mean, but I hope it helps save the ship in time.

And of course, as always, i urge everyone to email senators and represenatives to help further the effort to save the ship. If anyone lives in the State of New York and wants to help, have an essay of sorts I want to send to senator Hillary Clinton, but she will not respond to people out of state. I would love to have this sent to her, so if anyone is willing to help, I would be greatful

On sadder news, the scrapping of the SS Norway has started removing the Superstructure and bridge of the SS France, it is now at the point of no Return. I gave up on the Norway as soon as I learned of her troubles, because she was already on the beach. Once a ship hits the beach, its pretty much too late. However her story may still prove useful in preventing the same fate from happening to the SS Independence. the same trickery was used, and no one will be fooled this time

She's probably a bit busy right now, what with running for president and all that.

As for the tug, well, it's pretty easy (Albeit a bit of an annoyance) to arrange refueling at sea for those things. Do you have the name of the tug?

yea, but I figure if I send enough emails, one of them will be noticed sooner of later

Tug's name is Pacific Hickory I believe, and she has already be in trouble once for some sort of illegal activity, but i cannot recall what it was

Starfox might not be with us anymore, but his dream lives on:http://www.torontosun.com/2016/02/05...ored-to-luxury


It's a miracle I tell you someone (Crystal Cruises) is going to bring the old SS United States back to life again after being dockside since 1970.

They even want her running again with 400 hundred luxury cabins to the tune of some estimated $700 million dollars.

They could build a new one for less, but this is still a real answer to prayer

Problem is will she meet solas 2015 regulations ?