LONG BEACH : Disney Role in Queen Mary Upkeep Found Sufficient
Long Beach City Auditor Robert E. Fronke has concluded that the Walt Disney Co. has done its part to maintain the Queen Mary, which is badly rusted and needs as much as $27 million in repairs and maintenance.
Fronke said that his findings, which were reported to a City Council committee on Tuesday, were based on a review of documents and other information dating back to 1989.
He echoed the findings of a previous report that said the ship had deteriorated because of inadequate maintenance, but the city auditor said most of the problems were there when Disney began operating the ship in 1988.
But Councilman Waren Harwood, who requested the review, said he will ask the City Council to approve a more thorough audit to look at the performance of previous operators.
Long Beach, which bought the ship in 1967, has leased it to various operators over the years. Disney plans to abandon the tourist attraction at the end of the month. Long Beach officials are considering proposals to buy or operate the vessel.
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