SS Oceanic's return to New York , June 2009

This is a video feature of the SS Oceanic , this was of her long stay in Manhattan during which she was taken to Bayonne for dry docking and repairs after a leak was found in her hull.

This was a very rare visit for the SS Oceanic for this was her first visit to New York after over 13 years ,
she used to frequent NY when she sailed for Home Lines back in the 1970's through the 1980's.

She is now sailing for Peace Boat organization based out of Japan , there she sails the worlds oceans yet she will not be returning to New york anytime soon.

Liveboat supports the SS United States Conservancy.

November 27 2010

PRESS RELEASE:

Today , we of the Liveboat International announce our 

full support to the SS United Conservancy .

Over the course of the coming months , we will work with them to further spread the word across the world and keep the fight strong to save America's flagship to be preserved for future generations to come.

The SS United States is a marvel of Navel Engineering and today still holds the record for the fastest passenger ship ever built by an American ship yard.

She has been sitting in Pier 82 in Philadelphia since 1996 and is in dire need of repairs and refurbishment.

On July 1st our reporter Byron Huart joined the National Celebration event

in Philadelphia hosted across the street at the Penns Landing Ikea store .

There he got a full broadside view of the SS United States docked at her berth at Penns landing ,

through his thorough and highly detailed photographic analysis of the ship we can clearly see that she is in serious decay.

Mr. Huart also stayed overnight in Philly after the celebration ended only to witness a truly once and a lifetime moment , the first sunrise over the SS United States in Philadelphia only hours after the special announcement had been made about the stay of execution of the beloved flagship.

The event  was televised and published on various news stations and internet sources including the world famous Maritime Matters suite where our reporter Byron wrote a full article chronicling the series of events that took place that day , the article on Maritime Matters was a huge success and has since received many views and comments.

Today the Conservancy is at it's most dire moment ,

the proposal for the SS United States to be a part of the planned Fox Woods Casino project in South Philly.

Heres the official press release:

November 21, 2010 - On Monday, November 22, the Conservancy held a press conference in Philadelphia at 1:00 pm to unveil the results of a detailed feasibility study, as well as scale renderings and a model, that show how the SS United States could be the catalyst for an innovative urban redevelopment initiative along Philadelphia’s Delaware River. To read the Conservancy’s full media advisory, Click here

As detailed in an article in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, the Conservancy commissioned Stephen Varenhorst Architects (SVA) and consultant Ken Smukler to conduct the study with support from a generous grant from Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest. The team examined a number of potential locations along Philadelphia’s Delaware River and honed in on the “Foxwoods site” between Philadelphia’s Reed and Tasker Streets. The dynamic urban redevelopment initiative envisaged features the SS United States as part of a complex that incorporates hotel space, restaurant offerings, retail and office space, residential development, parkland and a marina, nature reserves, and a casino.

We will seek further feedback on the proposed design from city officials, local community advocates, and design experts. We will also continue to explore other possible development plans for the vessel, including several in cities other than Philadelphia.

To support this work and our other outreach and preservation efforts, the Conservancy is launching a year-end fundraising campaign and membership renewal push. As you know, our “Save Our Ship” Campaign launched in March was a great success. It culminated in our July 1 National Flagship Celebration at which we announced that we had received a $5.8 million pledge from philanthropist Gerry Lenfest – enough money to purchase the Big U and maintain her for 20 months. However, our national flagship still remains in grave danger. The Lenfest gift is the first step of a long journey toward redeveloping the vessel as a stationary attraction. Much work at significant cost lies ahead of us. You will soon receive a formal appeal in the mail, and we hope that you will consider supporting us at the highest level you can. In the interim, please consider making a year-end tax deductible contribution to our ongoing efforts on behalf of the SS United States by becoming a Plank Owner today, or by visiting our online donation page.

We remain deeply grateful for your continued support, and thank you for helping us secure the future of our great national flagship.

That's it for now ,

to find out more about the conservancy and their mission to save the SS United States 

go to 

http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/

To donate to the conservancy's cause

go to :

http://www.ssusplankowner.org/

For the press release 

from 

http://www.varenhorst.com/projects/SVA_BreakingNews.pdf

Stay tuned for more updates and news here on Liveboat USA.

Seven Seas Voyager maiden arrival New York harbor 5/14/2010

Favorite video of the Seven Seas Voyager's Maiden arrival to New York back in May.

Liveboat USA Presents our special guest of the week Ms.Tracy B Wilson

Hello everyone!

Today we also feature a very special guest from our homeport here in New York ,
her name is Tracy B Wilson.

Tracy is a talented actress and a wonderful photographer .
it was only earlier this month she was aboard the Carnival Splendor with her boyfriend on vacation when the ship had it's infamous engine room fire earlier this month.

There Tracy along with her travel companions witnessed first hand the chaos and the deteriorating conditions aboard the Splendor for the first 24-48 hours.

During her ordeal and when the USS Ronald Reagan came to the rescue of the Splendor and her passengers , Tracy pulled out her digital camera and videotaped this amazing footage of the helicopters dropping off supplies on the upper decks of the ship.

This footage is by far the best I've seen by any of the passengers with more to be released in the coming days and months to follow, she also made few vid logs of the crew and of herself .
Unfortunately she was unable to photograph more due to having to conserve battery power due to there being no way to recharge anything.

Chopper dropping off Food and Supplies on the decks of the stricken Carnival Splendor.
Photo by : Tracey B Wilson

Heres the amazing video she took viewed by thousands , this video gives us a glimpse of the situation aboard and what really happened aboard despite the extreme conditions and the long tow towards San Diego.












When Tracy finally returned to dry land , it was very emotional for her and her comrades as well as for the other passengers who made it safely to San Diego .

As much as we can say the Carnival Splendor incident was a huge disaster indeed but it was a miracle that no one was hurt or injured or the worse case scenario of the vessel sinking off the coast.

When Tracy returned to New York , she did a so so funny comedy skit at the Comedy club Comix about her experience  , it is there where we meet for the first time and exchanged words on the event.

Ms.Wilson will forever go down in history not only as one of the famous passengers aboard the ill fated cruise but as one who documented the experience and has given the world such incredible and historically important footage of the incident.

We wish Ms.Wilson well and smooth sailing.

Article assembled By : Byron Huart

(Special Thanks to Ms.Tracey B Wilson )

Allure of the Seas Maiden Arrival 11/11/2010

Greetings everyone!


It's been a bit since we've last left with world exclusive views of the Carnival Splendor disaster , during the same week it was happening we had the amazing maiden arrival of Allure of the Seas , Royal Caribbean's new capital ship and the 2nd largest cruise liner on Earth.


Heres photographs from this amazing arrival as seen from her sister Oasis and from the shores of Ft.Lauderdale as thousands flocked to see the newest capital ship arrive to Port Everglades.

Carnival Splendor arrives in San Diego! New Video & Photos.

Final video of our main coverage of the Carnival Splendor ,
here we have an exclusive video of her arrival in San Diego.

Carnival Splendor disaster / EXCLUSIVE NEW PHOTOS AND VIDEO!

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS LIVE!






Good Evening America!

This is Byron Huart here reporting from Liveboat USA
here with our continuing coverage of the Carnival Splendor disaster & the
U.S.S Ronald Regan's heroic efforts in assisting the over 4,500 people on board.

Here we have never before seen photographs and video of the ship being supplied to her final approach to San Diego ending the 3 day nightmare that Started last Monday when the engine room caught fire and cut the ship's power.

These photographs are powerful views of this incident as this is the most documented cruise disaster in our modern history as the eyes of the world were on these people .

The passengers & the crew all pulled through and united as one to overcome the horrific conditions , from actresses to musicians from across the country
this is a remarkable story and a miracle that everyone made it out ok.

Our next feature will be a world exclusive interview with the Splendor's passengers including a famous actress & photographer from our home port of New York , her name is Tracey B Wilson!

Tracey was on vacation aboard the splendor when the disaster took place through out the 3 day crisis she was able to make vid logs and get some amazing video of the choppers dropping off supplies on the decks and the activity inside.

We'll have more coming up shortly ,
stay tuned!