(Washington, DC) - Congressman Baron Hill has introduced an amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, H.R. 3619, regarding the necessary exemption for the Delta Queen to resume cruising.  In order for the amendment to reach the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives during consideration of the larger bill, H.R. 3619, the House Rules Committee must first find the amendment germane and in order.

The amendment language offered by Hill would specifically restore the exemption from the fire-retardant materials construction requirement for marine vessels operating within the Boundary Line through November 1, 2018.  Completed in 1927, the Delta Queen has a superstructure primarily of wood and can carry more than 170 passengers. The 1966 Safety of Life at Sea Law prohibits any wooden vessel carrying more than 50 overnight passengers from operating out of a United States port.  However, Congress has provided the exemption for the Delta Queen eight times since 1968, primarily because it was intended for seagoing vessels and not riverboats. 

The exemption was rejected last year in the form of a motion to recommit during the consideration of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2009.  Hill supported the motion, but it failed by a narrow vote margin of 208-195.

“My perspective on the Delta Queen and its safety has evolved significantly,” Hill said.  “After speaking with various officials and the former captain of the Delta Queen, I am convinced it should cruise again.  To that end, I have introduced this amendment with the full intent of seeing this through until the Delta Queen is back on the Ohio River.  The Delta Queen is not only historically significant, but is a job creator and economic boon to the areas along its route.”