Help may be just around the bend to keep the Delta Queen rollin' on the river.
U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, was expected to introduce a bill early today that would, if approved, continue the Delta Queen's 40-year exemption from the Safety of Life at Seas Act.
"It is actually a 10-year extension of the exemption," said Garette Silverman, spokeswoman for Voinovich.
There are five co-sponsors, including U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
A previous attempt at an exemption was voted down in April in the U.S. House by a 208-195 margin. From this region, U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio, voted for the bill, while U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, voted against it.
On Monday, a representative for Wilson said his position has not changed. A call to Space's office was not returned Monday afternoon.
Grass-roots efforts to keep the boat afloat continue.
"We'll continue to gather signatures on petitions here in Marietta," said Kelly Blazosky, executive director of the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bueau. "It's exciting news that Senator Voinovich is introducing the bill, and we certainly are hoping that it will be successful."
Thousands of signatures have been collected this summer, she said, and those who want to sign a petition may still do so at many downtown Marietta shops and at the CVB office.
The Delta Queen was in Marietta early Monday, leaving at 1 p.m. and heading down the Ohio River for a stop in Point Pleasant, W.Va. The boat is due to return Thursday, Oct. 2, and - for possibly her final visit to the Pioneer City - from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6.
"She heads south after that for the winter," Blazosky said.
A huge banner on the side of the ship Monday proclaimed, "Save the Delta Queen."
Eugene and Nancy Boyd traveled from Caldwell Monday to see the Queen.
"I saw it a few years ago and thought we'd take a last look," Nancy Boyd said. "About 30 years ago, I brought our two girls down and we got a tour for 25 cents. I remember it was very nice inside, with a huge staircase, lots of brass and pretty chandeliers."
Eugene Boyd called maintenance of the boat "excellent."
"It's been an elegant piece of work in its time," he said. "And it's still working very well. You can tell by looking that it's been well maintained."
The couple said they would not be concerned about a cruise on the boat, with the wooden superstructure.
The Delta Queen, launched in 1926, is the only cruise line vessel in the U.S. with a wooden superstructure and steel hull. The ship travels only the inland rivers and waterways, primarily the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
According to the Safety of Life at Seas Act, oceangoing passenger vessels cannot be built on a wooden superstructure because of the potential fire hazard. One section specifies any passenger vessels with overnight accommodations for 50 or more must comply. The Delta Queen has 84 staterooms.
For 40 years, the boat has been given congressional exemptions to continue running.
Supporters of another exemption for the Queen say the Safety of Life at Seas Act should not apply because the boat no longer travels on the ocean and is never more than a mile from shore.
As the Queen calliope crooned "Beautiful Dreamer," passengers gathered on the two upper decks and waved to a handful of people who lined the levee to wave and call out good-byes Monday. The Boyds were surprised more local people had not turned out.
Beallsville residents Roger and Dolly Pitman took pictures of the Delta Queen on one of its recent visits and showed them to their 3-year-old granddaughter, Abigail, over the weekend. Since then, the Delta Queen has been on the young Quaker City girl's mind.
"That's all she's talked about," Dolly Pitman said.
On Monday, Abigail sat with her grandparents, watching as the Delta Queen pulled away from the levee and waving at the passengers.
"It's kind of big," Abigail said of the boat.
Linda Lockhart of Parkersburg was treated to lunch aboard the vessel while she visited relatives on board.
"It's such a beautiful boat, definitely worth saving. My family flew from California to Pittsburgh to take the cruise," she said. "It's absolutely safe. I was impressed with the friendliness of the staff."
Eugene Boyd said the Delta Queen is good for communities up and down the river.
"It's good for business," he said. "Passengers seem to appreciate being able to stop and tour all the little towns. It's a nostalgic boat, that's for sure."
Evan Bevins contributed.
