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...

Franz Neumeier

The Fox News Channel has taped a segment featuring the Save the Delta Queen Campaign. Barring a major breaking story, you can see it on Special Report with Brit Hume this Friday, July 16, at 6:00 p.m.

Update: Watch the video at Fox News Special Report "Delta Queen Retiring?"

Franz Neumeier

According to Majestic America Line the US Coast Guard has closed the Ohio River just north of Paducah, KY, until further notice making it necessary to re-route the Delta Queen originally scheduled for a Nashville to Cincinnati cruise. This cruise starting on June 28 at Nashville will now go to Chattanooga instead. The July 1 cruise will start at Chattanooga instead of Cincinnati and will end at Memphis as originally planned where the Delta Queen will return to her regular schedule.

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Franz Neumeier

The unscheduled stop of the Delta Queen at Chattanooga, the only stop of the DQ at this city this year, gives the opportunity to rally for the Delta Queen exemption. The Save the Delta Queen Campaign is calling Delta Queen supporters to meet at the Chattanooga landing on July 1 at noon for a non formal rally.

The Save the Delta Queen Campaign Team has just issued a press release covering the visit of the Delta Queen to Chattanooga:

Delta Queen to Visit Chattanooga Tuesday,...

Franz Neumeier

Just wanted to share some links just discovered. Here is the link to the US Code section with the exemption for the Delta Queen ending Oct 31, 2008:
US Code Title 46,3505. Fire-retardant materials

Then here is the source when the Congress accepted this exemption (it was in conjunction the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act for 1996):
Notes about US Code Title 46,3505

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996 was Pub. L. 104–324: Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress) Pub. L. 104-324)...

Franz Neumeier