PHOTO: The American Queen was partly repaired and is operating a revised Ohio River itinerary. (Courtesy of American Queen Steamboat Company)
The American Queen paddlewheeler is on the move again after undergoing repairs in Maysville, Ky., during an Ohio River cruise. The 436-passenger vessel is heading for Pittsburgh after sustaining a stress fracture on the main shaft and a broken Z-drive, an underwater propulsion unit.
The Z-drive was replaced in Maysville, so the boat can operate without the paddlewheel, which was removed and disassembled to repair the shaft.
"The vessel is on schedule to reach Pittsburgh on July 3 with an adjusted itinerary that will not offer shore excursions," said Ted Sykes, president and COO of Great American Steamboat Company. "Guests onboard are receiving the option of a complimentary voyage onboard the next scheduled cruise from Pittsburgh July 4 returning to Cincinnati on July 9 or 25 percent off of their current fare for a future cruise."
After Pittsburgh, the American Queen will resume its regularly scheduled itinerary under the power of Z-drives. The paddlewheel will be reassembled when repairs have been made, Sykes said. All modifications on the American Queen have been approved by the Coast Guard for her to continue sailing, he said.
The problems surfaced a few days after departing on the June 27 "Good Old Summertime" eight-day voyage from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh. The paddlewheeler cancelled calls in Maysville and Huntington, W.Va., although it ultimately returned to Maysville to overnight for repairs.
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