Long Beach owns the ship but has leased it to operators. Now a bankruptcy hearing could leave the city on the hook for operating expenses and millions in repairs.
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In the 85 years since its maiden voyage, the RMS Queen Mary has survived rogue waves, transatlantic crossings and even a world war.
For the last five decades, it’s enjoyed a second life docked in Long Beach, riding waves of popularity and tough times as a tourist attraction.
But the historic ship is now facing its most challenging voyage yet.
After years of neglect by a string of operators, the Queen Mary is so creaky and leaky that it needs $23 million in immediate repairs, according to a trove of court documents and inspection reports released last month. There is growing concern that if something is not done soon, the ship could fall into critical disrepair and be in danger of sinking.
New Queen Mary report says urgent repairs needed to keep ship viable in the next two years • Long Beach Post News lbpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lbpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The ship’s future plunged into uncertainty on Monday when the entities under Singapore-based Eagle Hospitality Trust, which operates the Queen Mary and two dozen other hotel properties across the United States, filed for bankruptcy with a total of more than $500 million in debt.
Long Beach has owned the century-old vessel since it arrived from Scotland in 1967 as a hotel and tourist attraction. For decades, the city has leased the ship to various operators who are charged with maintenance, and many of those operators have met similar financial struggles.
Now, the Queen Mary’s fate is once again uncertain.