Oberstar not trusting the Coast Guard?
Posted 07-21-2008 at 05:00 AM by Franz Neumeier
Did you know that "since 1992, towing vessels have been involved in more than 607 sinkings, 593 floodings, 494 fires, 115 capsizings, 41 explosions, and 103 abandonments"? Rep. James Oberstar wrote this in 2005 in a letter rectifying a law that enforces the inspection of towboats through the Coast Guard.
Remember, he's talking about modern, all-steel towboats operated by professional crew members, many of them Union members.
There is no need to repeat myself with comparing these numbers with the clean safety records of the Delta Queen not only since 1992 but since she went into service in 1927, is it?
Also no need to ask why Rep. Oberstar is so much in favor of the Coast Guard when it's about towboats while at the same time he obviously doesn't trust the Coast Guard when it's about the Delta Queen.
The Delta Queen needs a Certificate of Inspection from the US Coast Guard which is issued based on comprehensive and frequent inspections of the boat and is being issued only when the Coast Guard considers the boat as safe. So why not allow the Coast Guard to continue this practice? Why block an exemption in the House that would allow the Coast Guard to do its job, like they did for so many years?
The Coast Guard's predecessor is the Steamboat Inspection Service - which organization would be more appropriate to inspect and certify a steamboat like the Delta Queen? Why does a politician think he knows better?
Remember, he's talking about modern, all-steel towboats operated by professional crew members, many of them Union members.
There is no need to repeat myself with comparing these numbers with the clean safety records of the Delta Queen not only since 1992 but since she went into service in 1927, is it?
Also no need to ask why Rep. Oberstar is so much in favor of the Coast Guard when it's about towboats while at the same time he obviously doesn't trust the Coast Guard when it's about the Delta Queen.
The Delta Queen needs a Certificate of Inspection from the US Coast Guard which is issued based on comprehensive and frequent inspections of the boat and is being issued only when the Coast Guard considers the boat as safe. So why not allow the Coast Guard to continue this practice? Why block an exemption in the House that would allow the Coast Guard to do its job, like they did for so many years?
The Coast Guard's predecessor is the Steamboat Inspection Service - which organization would be more appropriate to inspect and certify a steamboat like the Delta Queen? Why does a politician think he knows better?
Total Comments 3
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Franz,
Mr Oberstar's determination to take the DELTA QUEEN out of service has nothing to do with the Coast Guard. Mr. Oberstar has his own motives and serving his constituancy or saving the DELTA QUEEN are not in his personal interest. I lost all confidence in him as a legislator when he sent me a letter telling me he would not respond to my letter about saving the DELTA QUEEN because he only responds to his constituants. Since he is the Chairperson of the Marine and Infrastructure Committee of the UNITED STATES, I AM his constitutant! That said, he has made his stand. Our only hope is to unseat him before it is too late...because, an end run around like we did with Garmatz in 1970 isn't going to happen this time. Wonder how hard it would be to get photographs or evidence of him in a situation publically unfavorable? Somehow, the public responds better to that kind of thing than being told the truth! ~Travis~ |
 
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The Honorable Oberstar seems to forget that the Coast Guard, during his oversight, built seven large ships that are so useless that neither the Coast Guard nor any other entity wants them. An eighth one was not completed. How can he justify such a mistake.
Alan L. Bates |
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I wonder if an appeal to The Honorable Elijah Cummings, who is a member of Oberstar's committee would do any good.
Alan L. Bates |
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Recent Blog Entries by Franz Neumeier
- Delta Queen Preservation Foundation (10-26-2010)
- Delta Queen Hotel: Special Deals for Steamboaters (07-14-2010)
- Delta Queen Culinary History (07-09-2010)
- Race for the Silver Antlers (04-12-2010)
- Captain Larry "Buford" Wilkinson passed away (03-24-2010)
