Long Beach Continues Takeover of Queen Mary

High-tech tests and the promise of an additional $2.5 million for repairs persuaded the Long Beach City Council to move forward with its plan to take over the Queen Mary and keep the money-losing tourist attraction in Long Beach.

The Harbor Commission, which has jurisdiction over the ship, and City Council are expected to approve final transfer of the vessel within two weeks. The commission helped speed the negotiations by increasing to $9 million the amount it will give the city for repairs, said David L. Hauser, president of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. It had offered $6.5 million.

The high-tech tests were part of a new study, the third in recent months, on the ship’s rusting hull.

International Diving Services, which performed the study, told city officials that the Queen Mary’s hull is in no danger of failing and that immediate repairs could be made where the ship is moored. City officials released the findings Tuesday.

The cost of those repairs is estimated at $6 million to $9 million, which is at least $3 million less than the work recommended by another consultant, officials said.

“There are no indications of any condition that would cause sudden or catastrophic failure of the hull,” said Assistant City Manager John F. Shirey, who relayed the findings to the council.

Shirey said International Diving Services will deliver its written report later in the week.

The company based its findings on ultrasonic tests of the hull, as well as X-rays, underwater videos and still photography.

It found that only a portion of the hull, toward the stern, needs immediate repairs. If those repairs are made, costly dry-docking can be delayed for three years, the study found.

The city hired International Diving Services after another consulting firm, Rados International Corp., recommended last month that the ship be dry-docked immediately at a cost of about $6 million. The firm had already recommended $6 million in immediate repairs, bringing the total to $12 million.