Ambitious plan aborted after feasibility study shows no feasibility
by Patti Covello Pietschmann
This video was released after Crystal announced plans to restore the iconic vessel and it into a luxury cruise ship.
It was an ambitious and clever idea to restore and reimagine the SS United States but alas it turned out too challenging for Crystal Cruises. The major luxury travel conglomerate that operates two upscale ships, yachts, a jet plane and a shipbuilding yard, has issued a statement that after an intensive six-month study it determined that the technical and commercial challenges associated with returning the historic liner to service as a modern cruise ship have unfortunately proven insurmountable. As a show of support for the vessel, the cruise line says it will be making a significant donation of $350,000 to aid in the Conservancy’s ongoing mission to save the ship. The Conservancy intends to resume its pursuit of stationary redevelopment opportunities for America’s Flagship.
Last February, Crystal and the SS United States Conservancy announced they would work together to convert the iconic 1950’s-era vessel into a modern, luxury cruise ship that would comply with all modern safety and technical standards – unprecedented for a single vessel refurbishment. Crystal commenced a comprehensive feasibility study and professional evaluation, convening a world-class team of engineers and experts while incurring over $1 million in costs. “Over the past six months, Crystal has conducted an extensive feasibility study to restore 'America's Flagship' to oceangoing service. Unfortunately, the hurdles that would face us when trying to bring a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance have proven just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner,” said Crystal president and CEO Edie Rodriguez.
“While it has been determined that Crystal’s exciting vision for the ship would have required overcoming various technical hurdles and major changes to her historic design, the studies performed have confirmed the ship is structurally sound,” said Susan Gibbs, executive director of the SS United States Conservancy. “America’s Flagship continues to hold enormous potential as a stationary mixed-use development and museum in New York or another urban waterfront setting. The SS United States Conservancy remains deeply committed to saving this unique and powerful symbol of the nation’s strength, history, and innovation.”
A team of engineers and marine experts led by retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Tim Sullivan conducted numerous assessments on the ship at the Port of Philadelphia, where it has been docked for 20 years. The evaluation and testing included in-depth assessments of the ship's structural condition; underwater inspections of the hull by divers; the examination of her fuel and salt water ballasting tanks; and a series of intensive engineering studies to deduce what would be needed to bring her back into service. The results of the feasibility study showed it wasn’t really feasible.
Crystal is urging people to visit www.SSUSC.org to help the SS United States Conservancy continue its efforts to save America’s Flagship and advance its educational and curatorial programs to honor the nation’s only remaining ocean liner.
I guess Crystal has to be satisfied with operating two successful luxury liners,
the Symphony and Serenity, getting its new fleet of r iverboat/yachts in the water and flying folks around in style in their spiffy jet. Of course the company doesn’t stop there, they have many more irons in the fire to keep the empire, built by Genting Hong Kong, who owns them, expanding.
the Symphony and Serenity, getting its new fleet of r iverboat/yachts in the water and flying folks around in style in their spiffy jet. Of course the company doesn’t stop there, they have many more irons in the fire to keep the empire, built by Genting Hong Kong, who owns them, expanding.
