"Big U" Update

[Airbear232]

35 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

Repaired to what level?  To a hotel or convention center?  Tens of millions, since the entire interior is stripped bare (down to the structural steel).  then, as the owners of the Queen Mary and the city of Long Beach found out, even if you keep up the maintenance for a hotel and convention center, you are suddenly faced with $30 million in repairs to the hull that land buildings don't face.  To an operating ship?  Crystal Cruises did a feasibility study on just that, and found that it would approach the billion dollar mark ($700 million is the actual figure).  The ship does not meet current SOLAS requirements for such basic things as multiple rudders (so a completely redesigned stern section is needed), the machinery hasn't run in decades, and is an inefficient steam plant, so all new machinery, etc, etc.

Thanks, that’s sad.  So, then is the only solution to reef or scrap her?

[chengkp75]

41 minutes ago, Airbear232 said:

Thanks, that’s sad.  So, then is the only solution to reef or scrap her?

She could be turned into a hotel, convention center, or museum, but someone with deep pockets will need to be found.  But, in my opinion, the last chance for restoration was years ago before she was towed to Turkey and the interior stripped.  To me, the main historical feature of the SSUS was the power plant, and this has been left to rot for decades, so even making a hotel of her does not do the old ship justice.

 

I think there is an idea from Tampa to reef her, and that alone is $80 million.

Edited August 17 by chengkp75

[rsachek]

Regarding some recent comments in this thread…

 

The price tag for the most recent RXR plan to turn the ship into a mixed-use hotel, museum, convention space, etc. was $450 million not counting any improvements to the pier itself, parking lot, things like that.

 

There’s no way that the resultant hotel/attraction could ever earn a suitable return-on-investment for that amount of initial outlay. The math just doesn’t work, no matter how successful the attraction is. Therefore, that leaves a philanthropist or government entity who doesn’t have a profit motive to “restore” the ship and apparently, neither is stepping forward.

 

IMO, the best option is to turn the ship into an artificial reef. Two different counties in Florida are interested. Both are located in Florida’s panhandle, not Tampa. One county was quoted $8.6 million – not $80 million - for towing and pre-sinking cleanup by the same company that sank the Oriskany a number of years ago.

 

Today, the conservancy was denied its motion to delay the eviction date/move until December. The conservancy has to move the ship by September 12 or else face a large financial penalty. If the ship changes hands before then, like to one of the Florida entities, the dock operator will consider letting the ship stay for a short period of time after 9/12 while arrangement for transport are made. 

[Philly Steve]

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the Conservancy risks losing custody of the ship to current landlord Penn Warehousing unless a deal, reefing or otherwise, is finalized by September 12.

 

 

[Philly Steve]

The S.S. United States Conservancy says, in a statement, that serious negotiations continue with two Florida counties on a proposal to sink the ship as a recreational diving destination.  There would also be a museum, the statement reads, perhaps with artifacts salvaged before the reefing. 

 

The Conservancy reports it has raised funds to meet current expenses along with money needed for towing from the south Philadelphia berth. It's hoped progress will warrant allowing the ship to remain at Penn Warehousing past the September 12th eviction deadline but not for long.

 

The Conservancy has raised emergency donations and has of late generated revenue through premium priced on-board tours.

 

 

[NowVoyager2]

Why not move the ship to NYC Westside piers - the Intrepid w a CONCORD on its flight deck is there, is a submarine to tour  there are more cruises sailing from the piers - instant revenue(after reno).

 

The risk of towing includes capsizing - 

 

The ship is worth saving but needs major capital - something NYC's Billionaires have!!

[chengkp75]

13 minutes ago, NowVoyager2 said:

The risk of towing includes capsizing

Very low risk of capsizing unless a major, severe storm is encountered, and even then, more likely a break in the tow line.  They will fill the ballast, fresh water, and fuel tanks with water, and this, along with the major loss of weight from stripping the hotel, will lower the center of gravity to a large degree.  Her fuel tanks, which were cleaned decades ago, would hold about 20,000 tons of water, right at the bottom of the ship.

[Cruising89143]

The latest.

 

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/08/okaloosa-county-sings-deal-to-acquire-united-states-for-reefing/

[Philly Steve]

The reefing of the SS United States off Destin, Florida will mark a sad but noble ending for this amazing ship. The agreement ends decades of failed vision for the legendary liner but she will benefit marine life and a ship's museum is planned. 

 

I see the funnels of The Big Ship daily from my balcony and will miss admiring her worn but graceful lines. I walked her decks three separate times over her years in Philly.

 

There has been harsh criticism by some on how the ship was managed through the years but I believe the SS United States Conservancy has always had the best interests of SS United States at heart. 

 

More to come on the next phase of life for William Gibbs baby.

[Cruising89143]

Well, more to the story…..

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/08/conservancy-plan-to-reef-ship-not-set-yet/

[Philly Steve]

Let's hope other there are other options. Reefing the ship could take years of preparation and cost upward of $10 million. 

[CGTNORMANDIE]

On 8/31/2024 at 7:14 AM, Philly Steve said:

The reefing of the SS United States off Destin, Florida will mark a sad but noble ending for this amazing ship. The agreement ends decades of failed vision for the legendary liner but she will benefit marine life and a ship's museum is planned. 

 

I see the funnels of The Big Ship daily from my balcony and will miss admiring her worn but graceful lines. I walked her decks three separate times over her years in Philly.

 

There has been harsh criticism by some on how the ship was managed through the years but I believe the SS United States Conservancy has always had the best interests of SS United States at heart. 

 

More to come on the next phase of life for William Gibbs baby.

So sad to see the end of this greatest liner.  The SSUS Conservancy worked tirelessly for decades in order to save the SSUS.  Thank you Susan Gibbs and company and thanks to all who donated over the years.  Farewell dear friend.

[Philly Steve]

The Okaloosa County Board postponed a vote on the proposed reefing to allow more time to work out details with pier owner Penn Warehousing on removal of the ship. 

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy issued a statement today confirming that the deal with Okaloosa County is close but not final.

 

The Conservancy listed fourty possible dock locations that have been contacted with no success in relocating the ship. Among them, Pearl Harbor.

 

According to the statement, the Conservancy remains hopeful a private buyer will step forward and is checking financials of interested parties while on the lookout for those who simply want to purchase then profit for scrap.

[DCDragonfly]

I heard today Escambia County is also interested in reefing the ship.  Finally a SSUS bidding war?

 

Also, there was a guy on Reddit saying he wanted to buy the ship and turn it into the world's biggest yacht.  Probably all hat, no cattle.

[Philly Steve]

More drama on this September 12th, the deadline date for the SS United States to move from it's south Philadelphia pier.

 

The SS United States Conservancy has filed an "urgent motion" in federal court, accusing pier landlord Penn Warehousing of misconduct.  It contends that Penn  blocked a deal to reef the ship off Florida while attempting to negotiate its own sale to scrappers. 

 

One thing is clear. The Big Ship is not going anywhere today.

[Philly Steve]

The SS United States Conservancy, in a statement, says it welcomes today's court ordered mediation in the dispute with pier owner Penn Warehousing, accused of trying to negotiate its own plan to sell the ship for scrap. The Conservancy wants more time to seek options amid the eviction.  A tentative reefing agreement with a Gulf Coast Florida county is on hold.

[Philly Steve]

Pier 82 owner Penn Warehousing is accused of sabotaging the SS United States reefing deal by demanding 3 million dollars from Okaloosa County, Florida to berth the ship after the expired deadline this week. The County postponed final action amid a tentative agreement. .

 

The judge, who sent the matter to mediation, is quoted by the Philadelphia Inquirer as saying there is no reason why the deal should not go through. 

 

Penn Warehousing admitted it has been holding discussions with scrappers.

Edited Saturday at 01:47 PM by Philly Steve