Queen Mary to Get $1M More in Repairs Ahead of Reopening

The Long Beach City Council has recently approved the payment of $1 million, for ongoing repairs to the Queen Mary.

The historical British ocean liner, which is owned by the city, has been permanently docked in Long Beach’s harbor since 1965. Since then, it has served as a museum, restaurant, tourist attraction and hotel.

However, prior to its closure due to the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic, inspectors found that the 87-year-old ship was in danger of sinking without proper repairs.

According to a 2021 report by the Elliot Bay Design Group, which led the inspection of the ship, “EBDG has identified some urgent items that should be addressed immediately for safety from flooding. While a few repairs have been completed in the last 5 years, the majority of the urgent repair needs were not addressed.”

The inspection report continued: “EBDG confirmed urgent repairs are still needed to keep the vessel viable for the next two years. The estimated immediate repair needs are anticipated to cost $23,000,000.”

The task of keeping the ship from capsizing began earlier this year, when the City Council approved the funding of $5 million to be used for crucial repairs, which included the removal of several deteriorating lifeboats onboard the ship.

According to a report issued by the Long Beach City Council, the city has also been working with the property management company, Evolution Hospitality, on the repairs of the Queen Mary, after the ship’s previous owner, Eagle Hospitality Trust, filed for bankruptcy in January 2021.

“As of October 20, 2022, Evolution has addressed plumbing issues throughout the ship, reinstituted internet and Wi-Fi across the entirety of the vessel, begun the process of restoring the ship’s handrails, and is actively improving the energy efficiency aboard the ship by installing energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures,” the report said.

The report continued: “In addition, Evolution has initiated the replacement of the ship’s boilers and the repair/installation of the ship’s heat exchangers.”

The City Council’s report also addressed recently identified needs for repair, aboard the ship. These needed repairs include, but are not limited to:

• Linoleum Flooring & Carpet Repair.
• HVAC/Refrigeration Repairs.
• Elevator Repairs.
• Installation of Kitchen Hoods.
• Replacement of Guest Room Locks.

In addition to the costs of improvements for the pre-opening of the Queen Mary, the Long Beach City Council also stated that they will be coordinating with LAZ Parking, the city’s parking operator, to help review the likelihood of enhancing parking capability; which the city council states to be one of the biggest generators of revenue for the ship.

 “Special Events and Filming has facilitated activity on board the ship to help generate additional revenue during the ship’s closure,” The City Council said. “In FY [Fiscal year] 22, these activities resulted in approximately $1 million in unbudgeted revenues in the Tidelands Area Fund Group. These revenues were designated to offset re-opening improvements to the extent possible and will be used in support of the needed improvements.”

According to a 2020 economic report, the ship generates $3.3 million in annual tax revenue to Los Angeles County. The majority of this revenue comes from the ship serving as a hotel, concert venue and filming location.

The ship’s reopening to the public, which had been set for this past October, has since been rescheduled for the end of the year. Hopefully it will be in time for their annual Christmas and New Year’s Eve events.

To follow up on more updates regarding the status of the Queen Mary, you could visit their official website at https://queenmary.com/knowbeforeyougo/, as well as visit their social media pages at @thequeenmary.