The SS United States Conservancy wishes everyone a Happy New Year!
We hope that 2007 will bring peace and joy to you, your family and friends, as well as substantial progress toward our mission of saving
America's greatest ship, the SS United States!

In this update:

- Conservancy Meeting with NCL CEO Colin Veitch
- Progress on our Documentary Film
- 2007 SS United States Calendars Receive Rave Reviews
- Exciting Events being planned for 2007
- Happy Birthday SS United States Yahoo group

SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY MEETING WITH NCL

Last month SS United States Conservancy board members Susan Gibbs, Greg Norris, and Mark Perry met with the CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line
(NCL), Colin Veitch. The goal of the meeting was to brief NCL on the Conservancy's many current projects and to acquire a better
understanding of the current status of the SS United States and potential timeline for the ship's refurbishment. The meeting was
very positive and the Conservancy looks forward to continued collaboration with NCL, the ship's current owner.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Mr. Veitch reported that the Big U's status remains unchanged. NCL continues to conduct detailed
feasibility studies for the ship's potential refurbishment. Mr. Veitch assured us that the company is following the best practices in
the industry for laid-up vessels to be sure that the ship is well taken care of.

He further clarified that the ship's potential refurbishment will follow the planned expansion of the international fleet and stabilization of NCL's U.S.-flagged fleet, and he counseled
patience. He explained that the Big U's refit poses many complex engineering and architectural challenges, particularly in light of new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) probabilistic damage stability
regulations recently adopted by the International Maritime Organization. But he noted that the various feasibility studies concluded to date have been encouraging and that NCL remains deeply
committed to the project.

The Conservancy realizes that ultimately NCL may not succeed in returning the Big U to seagoing service. Should active service not be feasible, NCL has assured the Conservancy that it will keep us
informed and that NCL will work together with the Conservancy and others in evaluating all alternatives. However, based on Mr.
Veitch's obvious personal enthusiasm for the SS United States, the Conservancy remains cautiously optimistic that NCL's plans will come to fruition. The Conservancy has already begun developing plans for preserving and showcasing the ship's history and legacy aboard a revitalized sea-going vessel, and we look forward to partnering with
NCL to make the dream of the SS United States' rebirth a reality.

DOCUMENTARY FILM UPDATE

We are pleased to announce that we have secured significant funding for Robert Radler's/Food Chain Films' documentary on the SS United
States and we are moving forward in producing the film. Those who attended our spring 2006 meeting in Philadelphia had the opportunity to enjoy Bob's great trailer for the film, and a condensed version
will soon be posted online for all to enjoy. We're confident that this project will make major headway in 2007.

RAVES FOR THE CONSERVANCY'S 2007 SS UNITED STATES CALENDAR

Turner Publishing has released the Conservancy's 2007 SS United States calendar and it looks fantastic! The calendar features photographs and recollections from a number of former crewmembers, passengers and fans, including engineers Joseph Belanger, Nick
Landiak, and Bob Sturm, Gibbs & Cox engineer Larry Paden, passengers Peter and Mary Jane Bridges and Maurice Polak, cadet Alex Keisch, SS
United States enthusiast Bruce Hannover, crewmembers Bill Krudener, Dan McSweeney, Sr. and Joe Rota, Newport News Shipbuilding
photographers Buddy Nixon and Marcus Ritger, the family of SS United States Captain Richard Ridington, Janette Gautier, daughter of
Kenneth Gautier, Vice President of Passenger Traffic for United States Lines, former Newport News ship builder Bill Lee and noted
maritime artist Donald Stoltenberg. These calendars make great gifts and terrific keepsakes and also provide an excellent way to spread
the word about our continued efforts on behalf of the Big U. To order your copy, please contact Turner Publishing directly at 1-800-
788-3350 or visit www.turnerpublishing.com.

SS UNITED STATES GATHERINGS IN 2007

We are planning some wonderful events for 2007: Our annual meeting this summer in Philadelphia, a spring presentation and gathering in
Nags Head, North Carolina in partnership with the Steamship Historical Society's Hampton Roads Chapter, and a festive event and
reception in New York City. Stay tuned for exact dates and further details!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SS UNITED STATES GROUP ON YAHOO

A big Happy Birthday goes out to the SS United States Group on Yahoo as it enters its 8th year as the premiere online discussion forum for
Big U fans and supporters. Conservancy Board member Richard Rabbett established the group with an eye toward creating a lively
environment to foster a free exchange of information, ideas and opinions about America's greatest ship. With over 900 members, the
group continues to excel as a source of the latest information on the ship and spirited discussion among her many enthusiastic fans. The
group features a wealth of searchable information from past postings and extensive photo albums. For information on joining the group,
please go to ttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/ssunitedstates]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ssunitedstates[/URL]

Again, please accept our warmest wishes for 2007! We invite those of
you who have not renewed your support for 2007 to visit our website
at http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SOS.html and click on the
PayPal link. Also, please don't forget to keep us informed of any
changes to your email or mailing addresses so we can keep you posted
on SS United States news! We are invigorated by the thousands of
supporters around the country and world who are committed to
preserving the legacy of the Big U. Long may she live!

With best regards,

Board of Directors
SS United States Conservancy
www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by desirod7:
...many complex engineering and architectural challenges, particularly in light of new Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) probabilistic damage stability
regulations recently adopted...[/URL]

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Thanks for the upodate desirod7.

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Can anyone explain in simple terme what the above means?

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I think the key point is here:

The Conservancy realizes that ultimately NCL may not succeed in
returning the Big U to seagoing service. Should active service not
be feasible, NCL has assured the Conservancy that it will keep us
informed and that NCL will work together with the Conservancy and
others in evaluating all alternatives.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Linerrich:

I think the key point is here:

The Conservancy realizes that ultimately NCL may not succeed in
returning the Big U to seagoing service. Should active service not
be feasible, NCL has assured the Conservancy that it will keep us
informed and that NCL will work together with the Conservancy and
others in evaluating all alternatives.

Rich

---

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Rich, I meant the "probabilistic damage stability
regulations".

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Sorry, I didn't notice what you had in quotes. You're right, it's difficult language!

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
Rich, I meant the "probabilistic damage stability
regulations".

---

quote:

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:
...it would be difficult to stack extra decks of verandah cabins.

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To expect a veranda cabin onboard a ‘classic’ Ocean Liner is foolish, but then the cruising public can be pretty foolish at times.

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Thanks for the upodate desirod7.

Can anyone explain in simple terme what the above means?

---

Modern damage analysis accounts for the probability of certain damage scenearios.

Other than the deterministic approach defining how severe the ship can be damaged to stay afloat (e.g. how many compartements can be flooded) 'all' scenarios and their likelihood are considered for a probabilistic analysis thus allowing to assess the general survivability of the ship.

See e.g. this article

or

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
To expect a veranda cabin onboard a ‘classic’ Ocean Liner is foolish...

...claimed to love her history and heritage even though the addition of veranda suites clearly desecrated her original lines.

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Excellent points. Every rendition of an altered SSUS looks nothing like the greyhound transatlantic liner SS United States. Whats the point?

Hey, lets save a historical liner by adding deck extensions and rows and rows of balconies, repaint her hull and funnels, probably add some hull art, slap an NCL logo on her and make her unrecognizable.

quote:

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Originally posted by Cunard Fan:
I hope they never change her (though the probably would), I would still rather have her lines changed then for her to be destroyed. I still would hate it if they did that.

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Would the Queen Mary be the same, would you still be as glad she was around, if she had decks of balconies stacked around revised funnels, her hull painted a different color than her Cunard black and red, and had some company logo slapped on her side with some hull art, her elegant period interiors gutted and replaced with modern day public rooms and and amenities?

She would no longer be the Queen Mary, would she? What would be the point?

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:

Would the Queen Mary be the same, would you still be as glad she was around, if she had decks of balconies stacked around revised funnels, her hull painted a different color than her Cunard black and red, and had a company logo slapped on her side, her elegant period interiors gutted and replaced with modern day public rooms and and amenities?

She would no longer be the Queen Mary, would she? What would be the point?

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

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Oh you got me there, bringing the Queen Mary in to it! I was talking about adding a deck or other stuff to her exteior, not her inteior. About the Queen Mary I probably would not be able to choose between change and scraping but I think if someone either wanted to change the Queen Mary or scrape her. I think I would have her changed. Don't get me wrong, I would probably kill my self if this happened. But it is possible that you could change her back. The France was changed into the Norway but wasn't she still the France at heart?

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: Cunard Fan ]

quote:

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
Excellent points. Every rendition of an altered SSUS looks nothing like the greyhound transatlantic liner SS United States. Whats the point?

---

I’m not a navel architect unfortunately, but I would like to believe that it is possible to create a design for the SS United States that generally preserved her original ‘lines’ without too much new 'over-the-top' superstructure. However, NCL did originally claim that she would be returned to service as a ‘state-or –the art cruise ship’, they never suggested that she would be a recreation of her original decor and livery etc. They have never been in the business of running cruises purely for ship nuts.

I can only assume that the whole motive behind possibly returning her to service is the itineraries that her American ‘hull’ allows. It would be silly to totally alienate the classic ship lovers by turning her into something too far removed from her original external appearance.

When the final conversion of the SS Norway was complete, suites and balconies added to her upper decks, she pretty much loss all of her history and heritage related to the CGT liner SS France, the winged funnels betrayed who she might have been, once upon a time.

The old liners are best suited as museums to a grand old age, kept as they were in their halcyon era. There are plenty of WW2 warships lying around as museums and tourist attractions. Why is it that doing the same for ocean liners never caught on?

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
Why is it that doing the same for ocean liners never caught on?

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

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I never got that either. I love going to see aircraft carriers but I always thought liners were cooler.

You have three contributions of a possible conversion on your amazing website.

http://www.onnoheesbeen.com/BIGU.html

I am curious if either yourself or Desirod have contemplated any updated ideas for a refurbishment or design.

Should a refurbishment of the SSUS ever proceed, I have always liked Desirods rendition but it would seem necessary having the balconies extend further aft as the Norways did.

I agree with Malcolm...it would be very important to liner enthusisats to maintain her lines. Like he said, NCL has a major technical, financial and aesthetic 'jugging act' on their hands

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
However, NCL did originally claim that she would be returned to service as a ‘state-or –the art cruise ship’, they never suggested that she would be a recreation of her original decor and livery etc. They have never been in the business of running cruises purely for ship nuts.

---

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
From Onno's web site: I could live with either conversion one or three. Both look to be good compromises.

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Here is the original thread

My Redesign of the SS United States

Onno's aft magradome version on page 4 IMO works the best

[ 01-22-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

[ 01-23-2007: Message edited by: Thad ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Thad:

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I think we all learned that 3 levels of balconies are needed to pay
the bills and the ships stability will not allow a full length
holiday inn on top like the Pride of America.

The LifeBoats have been lowered by one deck to allow for the
balconies.

I have 3 levels of balconies merging into a 6 level aft terracing.
This allows 300 or so and 33% based on 1500 passengers. Forward of
bridge A glazed stadium is put in for needed usable deck space.

Thad Constantine had given me the initial idea.

Here I am trying balance the commercial realities, laws of physics,
and keep the essence and dignity of the original design.

[ 01-24-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]