JUDGE RULES AMERICA’S FLAGSHIP – THE SS UNITED STATES – MUST SECURE NEW LOCATION BY SEPTEMBER 12, BUT SHIP COULD REMAIN TO MEET LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES
Court Denies Nonprofit Organization's Request for Three-Month Extension but Opens the Door for Additional Time at Current Pier if New Location is Secured
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – The clock continues to tick down for the SS United States, following this week’s federal court ruling. However, Senior Judge Anita Brody opened the door for the iconic vessel to remain at its pier beyond the September 12 date, under certain conditions. The SS United States Conservancy had argued that the significant challenges associated with moving the vessel, including an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season, made the court’s deadline challenging. While the original deadline stands, Judge Brody indicated that should the Conservancy enter a contract to remove the vessel to a new location by September 12, she expects that a good faith negotiation be undertaken to allow the ship’s safe and proper removal at a later date. Judge Brody also indicated the parties will likely be called back to court in early September to discuss progress toward a removal scenario. The Conservancy issued the following statement in response:
“While our three-month extension to handle logistical, safety, environmental, and regulatory challenges associated with moving the vessel was not granted, we appreciate Judge Brody’s openness to the ship staying at her current pier beyond September 12 should we secure a contract to remove the vessel by that time. We also appreciated her expectation that a good faith negotiation between the Conservancy and Penn Warehousing, the pier operator, for a reasonable extension be undertaken, should that scenario come to pass.
"It is unfortunate Penn Warehousing continues to mischaracterize the Conservancy's stewardship of the vessel and its serious efforts to comply with the Court's order. Since the Court's ruling in June, the Conservancy's search for a temporary or permanent pier has expanded and accelerated in pursuit of an agreement to be secured no later than September 12. The Conservancy has also engaged in extensive negotiations with two counties in Florida to advance opportunities for the ship's potential conversion into an artificial underwater reef in tandem with a land-based museum. The Conservancy has also raised funds to cover the current expenses and potential tow costs, and it continues to work tirelessly to ensure that America’s Flagship is not lost to history.”
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