Operating steamship museums and the EPA

[Richard Jenkins]

As I understand it, the looming EPA ban that threatens the remaining Great Lakes steamers is specifically a ban on burning no.6 fuel (bunker C), which is why the Badger will be able to keep running on coal after the ash retention system is installed. As for the operational WWII-era museum ships and their "living history" cruises, I'm not sure about the Jeremiah O'Brien, Lane Victory, or the (original) American Victory, but I know the John W. Brown is burning no.2 diesel in her boilers these days, so she will presumably not be affected by the ban. It's more expensive than no.6, but since she only sees maybe half a dozen steaming days per year and is operated by a nonprofit with a volunteer crew, the economic impact isn't as great as it would be if they were running 24/7 for eight months out of the year trying to make money hauling cargo.

[Guest]

I think the law applies to ships that operate on ships that operate within the US borders and along the nations coasts and not ships that operate cross ocean. The only ships that got an exemption that I know of were the Great Lakes fleet.

As far as operational museum ships, I would think they would be exempted (if not they should be) because the motive is preservation not profit and aren't being used on a regular basis or for commercial purposes. Besides the Liberty Ship SS John Brown just did a cruise on September 6th in Baltimore. So the reg didn't stop it from operating if its in effect.

[Guesty]

I assume environmental regulations will lead to the retirement of these veterans, too old to justify repowering and too expensive to replace, destroying a big chunk of the few remnants of the US saltwater merchant fleet that probably could be kept going even longer if allowed without what amounts to a prohibition on Bunker C.

I don't think the situation is that dire. Many of the Jones act ocean players are investing. Per Tim Colton's Shipbuilding History website 15 tankers are currently under construction or on order in US yards with options for 2 more. Add to that 12 large tanker ATBs and 7 container/RoRo ships (Matson 2, Tote/Red Star 2, Pasha 1 and Crowley 2)

Yes, Horizon Lines is on the ropes. But it sounds like Crowley and Matson are ready to buy off pieces, or to step in of Horizon goes bankrupt. http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville ... l?page=all

[Guest II]

I believe she burns oil as did the Cliff's Victory (ex. Notre Dame Victory).

[Guest]

Been wondering about this for a while but never think to post when I'm at the PC, are museum ships like the SS Lane Victory having trouble with the EPA like the Badger is?

I assume that some discharge coal ash just like she does when they're underway while others are facing the EPA moratorium on burning bunker C like the Wilfred Sykes and dwindling remainder on the Great Lakes will soon be face to face with?

Also curious about what, if anything, is happening in regard with the EPA with the small number of remaining ocean going steamers in the US merchant fleet like the Horizon vessels.

I assume environmental regulations will lead to the retirement of these veterans, too old to justify repowering and too expensive to replace, destroying a big chunk of the few remnants of the US saltwater merchant fleet that probably could be kept going even longer if allowed without what amounts to a prohibition on Bunker C.