Repairs for the Queen Mary have price town of Lengthy Seaside greater than $45 million during the last eight years, in accordance with metropolis information obtained by The Occasions, a hefty invoice as town seems to be to maintain the historic ship on a fledgling path towards profitability.
Repairs have included greater than $3 million for rust and hull repairs, and $3.35 million for bulkhead repairs and eradicating lifeboats.
Extra repairs — each important and dear — to maintain the 90-year-old ship operational are nonetheless anticipated, however metropolis officers are optimistic the monetary headwinds the ship has battled are easing. Final yr, the Queen Mary generated greater than $12.6 million in income, together with greater than $3 million in earnings between June and October.
For the tip of fiscal yr 2024 — the primary yr the ship has been totally operational because it was shut down through the COVID-19 pandemic — metropolis officers anticipate the getting older ocean liner to usher in a “modest revenue” of $3.6 million.
“From an working perspective, the Queen Mary can now help working bills with common working income,” metropolis officers mentioned in an announcement. “All income generated is being invested instantly again to the ship and neighborhood.”
However the information from town, first reported by the Lengthy Seaside Enterprise Journal, have provided a glimpse into the numerous prices which have include town’s effort to maintain and protect the long-lasting vessel.
At one time, the Queen Mary was dubbed the world’s quickest and most luxurious cruise ship. Amongst its movie star and royal friends had been the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor, who paid additional for her poodle. It additionally transported troopers to the European entrance throughout World Struggle II.
After Lengthy Seaside purchased the Queen Mary from the Cunard Line delivery firm in 1967, numerous companies had been introduced in to handle the vessel and develop adjoining property.
In 2021, town took over the Queen Mary amid worries that it was not being maintained. Metropolis officers on the time had been conscious the ocean liner was in dire want of repairs.
One examine in 2017 estimated it may wish as much as $289 million in repairs and renovations, and courtroom paperwork confirmed about $23 million in repairs had been wanted to maintain the as soon as majestic ship from capsizing.
Along with the wanted repairs, metropolis officers level out that between 2007 and 2019, earlier than Lengthy Seaside took over, non-public operators had reported greater than $31 million in losses.
Since 2021, metropolis officers mentioned they’d accomplished at the very least 25 main tasks on the ship.
A lot of the $45 million that has been spent on the ship, metropolis officers mentioned, has come from income from the Queen Mary or associated subleases.
In 2017, about $23 million got here from a Queen Mary reserve fund and bond subject from the Queen Mary’s Carnival sublease.
A $12-million settlement with the Port of Lengthy Seaside, which transferred management of about 14 acres of metropolis property to the port to lease to 3rd events, and break up income with town, has additionally helped pay for a number of the repairs.
Because the Queen Mary reported seeing a revenue final yr, metropolis officers have touted the ship and what they are saying has been an financial success.
Since October, metropolis officers say greater than 118,000 folks have visited the vessel, and the ship is as soon as once more turning into the middle of town’s plans.
“The Queen Mary is prospering as soon as once more,” Steve Caloca, basic supervisor for the contracted operator, Evolution Hospitality, mentioned in an announcement. “From new Artwork Deco flooring and staircases within the Major Corridor, to the restored Commentary Bar overlooking our stunning metropolis of Lengthy Seaside, there may be a lot to do when visiting the Queen.”
Lodge capability on the ship has been expanded to 200 rooms, and onboard actions have expanded to 22 visitor excursions, reveals and different actions.
This yr, metropolis officers mentioned, lodge room renovations, elevator upgrades, restore of the ship’s third smokestack and an enlargement of the Solar Deck, which is used for particular occasions similar to weddings, are deliberate.
The Queen Mary additionally is supposed to play an important function in plans town has for the close by space.
Officers want to develop 43 acres of area subsequent to the ship into “a world-class leisure and mixed-use growth venue.”
“The return of dwell music, particular occasions and music festivals on the Queen Mary and adjoining Harry Bridges Memorial Park has additional highlighted the significance of dwell music and leisure to the long run success of the ship,” metropolis officers mentioned in an announcement. “This waterfront area, with expansive views of the Lengthy Seaside shoreline and downtown, collectively represents one of many metropolis’s most unusual future growth alternatives.”
And though the ship continues to want repairs, metropolis officers mentioned its situation won’t be as dire as was as soon as believed.
The examine that estimated as much as $289 million in wanted repairs included $215 million to $261 million for hull repairs, metropolis officers mentioned in an announcement. A more moderen hull and tank examine steered the associated fee could possibly be “significantly much less.”
“We envision an excellent brighter future for the Queen Mary and adjoining land with plans for future growth that may additional elevate its standing as a premier vacationer vacation spot,” Lengthy Seaside Mayor Rex Richardson mentioned in an announcement.
