LONG BEACH : Navy Says Queen Mary Doesn’t Need Dry-Docking
A preliminary review of the Queen Mary by U.S. Navy inspectors indicated that the ship does not need to be immediately dry-docked at a cost of $6 million.
The hull “gave no indications of imminent risk of flooding” because of rusting, Capt. B. Janov, commander of the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, recently advised city officials.
Nevertheless, Janov recommended a thorough study of the ship’s hull. Assistant City Manager John Shirey said Tuesday the city would seek such a study. City officials sought the Navy’s opinion after a private consultant warned earlier this month that the ship’s hull is badly deteriorated and the ship should be dry-docked as soon as possible.
The city has proposed taking over the money-losing tourist attraction from its independently governed Harbor Department. Harbor officials have agreed to pay $6.5 million for already planned repairs recommended by Rados International Corp. of San Pedro.
But Harbor officials have balked at paying for the additional $6 million to dry-dock the ship. The Harbor Department wants to sell the ship to a Hong Kong firm for $20 million.
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