Comments on: Is this really about safety?

By: Donnie

Donnie — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:11:24 +0000

I think the Delta Queen, even with her wooden superstructure, is as safe as any modern vessel. First, the Queen does have one of the most advanced fire suppression systems aboard a vessel. Next, there are atleast 2 easily accessible exits to the outer decks from anywhere onboard. In the event of a fire THAT gets out of hand THAT the fire suppression system cant extenguish, then yes the Queen would become fully enflamed quicker than a steel structured vessel. But, by the time that dreadful out of control moment was reached, she would already have made it to a shore and the passengers offloaded. People stay in old wooden hotels, with long narrow hallways, and sometimes no sprinkler systems…hmmm. Personally, I’d feel MUCH safer on the Queen for an overnight stay. When you board ANY wooden structure, be it floating or dry, you are aware of fire possibilities. So, what comes next? Outlaw everything wooden thats capable of staying the night in? Uh oh…..

By: The world is looking at the Delta Queen

The world is looking at the Delta Queen — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:46:42 +0000

[...] Is this really about safety? [...]

By: Rick Johnson

Rick Johnson — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:41:41 +0000

It gets sickening to watch someone pander to special interest and American history gets the short end because of it. The Union Lobby is manipulative and vindictive and will stop at nothing to punsh anyone who challenge their power. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt or what is lost as loing as they remain in power.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:47:42 +0000

This is the mentality of our government today. Americans today have fewer and fewer God given rights, and loosing more each and everyday. Stand up for our freedom of choice before its too late. Big brother wants total control over every man, woman and child in this nation.

By: Mrs. Bettie Russo

Mrs. Bettie Russo — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:52:15 +0000

I must agree that this is not a question of the Delta Queen’s safety. This steamboat is very safe. I not only believe this to be a fact, I have stayed overnight on the Delta Queen in the past, and will again this April. The fact is, the Queen is a National treasure. She IS a vital piece of American History that is threatened by an ignorant political populace. If the Liberty Bell or Statue of Liberty were threatened, there would be a National outcry….WHY THEN ARE WE NOT CRYING OUT TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE DELTA QUEEN???? I believe it is an unfortunate truth that the bottom line falls to the pocketbooks of those in power. Ignorance is NOT BLISS !!! We must educate the US Public and our elected officials regarding The Delta Queen before it is too late. She is a VERY SAFE VESSEL, that has the unique ability to stop and pull over at any time of day or night and allow all passengers to simply walk off her deck to safety if it were ever needed. No other vessel on the sea or the rivers and lakes of this country can offer this to it’s passengers.

By: Alan Kinstler

Alan Kinstler — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:16:33 +0000

Life has risks of all sorts. We accept or ignore countless risks every day. We don’t close national parks when climbers or camper fall, get lost or injured by an animal. We all embark on all sorts of entertainment and sport that present obvious and present likelihood of injury and possible death yet we don’t prevent people from these activities. What is wrong with taking the same risk our forefather took and where glad to have the opportunity. This PC/Nanny Society has spoiled so many aspect of you way of like. It must be a wonder to them that the baby boomers ever reached adulthood with all the hazards that we faced without helmets, airbags, knee pads and harnesses of every description. We did survive. We need to ask these overprotective intruders to keep their need for control over risk to themselves. We do not need to be protected of our selves. Life is an adventure. This is a free country, which includes the freedom to experience life and take a chance on enjoyment.

By: David Dewey

David Dewey — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:26:33 +0000

Gee Neal, You want us to choose between two different steamboats?? At least the last time I rode her, she was real steam (although there’s a dismal generator aboard for all those lights)
But, actually Neal makes a good point, the SOLAS regulations do allow for wooden boats for daytime use, IE: you can cram 1,000s of folks aboard the DQ and run in the daytime all you want–what makes that any safer????
And, NO, the Delta Queen cannot make it as a daytime excursion steamer, she’s not designed for that. The best preservation she can get is to continue to operate as an overnight steamboat!
Steamcerely,
David Dewey

By: Neal Kapp

Neal Kapp — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:15:15 +0000

You have a better chance of being hurt or killed aboard the Mark Twain paddlewheel ride at Disneyland. Which boat would you rather be on?