Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of American-Queen

The United States Coast Guard has officially suspended the search efforts for a crew member who fell overboard from the 'American Queen' on December 2 near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The extensive rescue operation spanned over 32 hours and covered more than 100 miles along the Lower Mississippi River. The incident was reported to the Coast Guard Sector New Orleans via a distress call made at 2:03 a.m. on December 1 using VHF-FM channel 16. Following the report, a man-overboard rescue team was promptly dispatched, and an urgent marine information broadcast was issued, resulting in the closure of the Mississippi River from mile marker 230 to mile marker 224 for deep draft commercial vessels. The search involved multiple agencies, including: - A MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans - A 29-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station New Orleans - Coast Guard Cutter 'Kickapoo' - Marine units from the East and West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries - Louisiana State University Campus police, which aided in the shoreline search. Despite the tremendous collaborative efforts, the search has now been officially suspended.

A significant search operation is currently underway for a crew member who fell overboard from the American Queen on December 1, 2021. The incident occurred near mile marker 229 on the Mississippi River, close to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At 2:03 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received an urgent radio distress call reporting the overboard situation. In response, the crew initiated a Man Overboard (MOB) protocol. The Coast Guard subsequently issued an urgent marine information broadcast, temporarily closing the Mississippi River to deep-draft commercial vessels from mile marker 230 to mile marker 224. The response teams involved in the search efforts include: the Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans deploying an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, a 29-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station New Orleans, the Coast Guard Cutter Kickapoo, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's marine unit, and Louisiana State University Campus police conducting a shoreline search. The operation highlights the swift response of marine safety organizations in critical situations.

On the evening of April 27, 2012, Priscilla Presley took center stage to re-christen the iconic steamboat, the American Queen, during a vibrant ceremony on the beautiful waterfront of Memphis. This momentous event celebrated the vessel’s return to multi-day excursions along the historic Mississippi River. Speaking from an upper deck of the 436-passenger paddle wheeler, Presley addressed a large crowd of eager guests and passengers, emphasizing the significance of the American Queen’s revival by a Memphis-based company. "This revival will greatly benefit our city," she remarked. The American Queen had been out of service since the closure of the Majestic America Line in 2008. Expressing her excitement, Presley stated, "It is such an honor to be here today for this occasion that will transform the landscape of Memphis." She then ceremoniously broke a bottle of champagne at the bow of the boat. "Just like our beloved blues, our famous barbecue, and yes, even Elvis Presley, the American Queen will be an integral part of Memphis history." The newly established Great American Steamboat Company is dedicated to revitalizing the once-thriving overnight cruise industry on the Mississippi and its tributaries, a sector that has struggled due to the shutdowns of both the Delta Queen Steamboat Company in 2001 and the Majestic America Line in 2008.