Exemption nixed — 04/29/08

Sat, May 17 2008

— One of the reasons Ashland is planning to extend its shoreline 100 feet into the Ohio River, as part of the Riverfront Park project, is in hopes of being able to convince the historic Delta Queen to make regular stops in Ashland a part of its popular river cruises. However, the chances of the 82-year-old steamboat docking in Ashland — or anywhere else for that matter — diminished Thursday.
That’s when the U.S. House of Representatives rejected an amendment that would have again exempted the Delta Queen from the Safety at Sea Act, which bans overnight cruises aboard vessels that have a wooden superstructure. The steamboat has received nine exemptions since 1968, allowing it to continue to offer overnight cruises along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot of Cincinnati attempted to add another exemption for the Delta Queen to a Coast Guard bill but was rebuffed by the House. The historic boat’s current exemption expires in November.
To be sure, there is a safety issue involved here. The large wooden boat could be quickly destroyed by a fire. But then the Delta Queen is never far from shore as it cruises the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and could dock rather quickly in the event of a fire.
If it loses its exemption, the Delta Queen likely will continue to offer short cruises that do not involve an overnight stay. It also could offer longer cruises by having its passengers stay overnight in hotels in cities along its route. That would make a stop by the Delta Queen even more inviting for cities along the river.
It’s still possible the Delta Queen will get a new exemption before the current one expires, but Thursday’s House vote makes that seem less likely. That’s too bad. We know of many people who have enjoyed cruises all the way to New Orleans on the Delta Queen. That’s an experience that may soon be ending — and just when Ashland is on the verge of becoming more accommodating than ever to the Delta Queen.