‘You have to have a vision’

Maritime history fans should note the ocean liner SS United States, queen of speedy luxury Atlantic crossings in the 1950s, might be getting ready for a comeback, according to a story on Forbes.com (http://tinyurl.com/linerssus). The ship is pictured, in her heyday, courtesy of the SS United States Conservancy (www.ssusc.org).

Launched in 1951, the United States hasn’t sailed commercially since 1969, and since 2011 has been quietly decaying at a dock in Philadelphia. The vessel is currently owned by the SS United States Conservancy, whose executive director is Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship’s designer, William Francis Gibbs. Unfortunately, the conservancy can no longer afford to care for the liner, which costs about $60,000 a month. Out of hope and money, last October the conservancy announced they were considering recycling her.

That’s when Edie Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of Crystal Cruises (part of Genting Hong Kong), came charging in on her white horse. When she saw the announcement early one Sunday morning, she sent Gibbs an email inquiry about saving the ship. Gibbs called back within minutes, probably pinching herself.

Next, Rodriguez contacted Genting’s chairman, to sell him on the idea. “As a proud American of an American-based cruise line, I felt like I would be remiss if we didn’t pursue it,” she told Forbes.com. He agreed, especially since Norwegian Cruises (also owned by Genting) actually owned the United States at one time. Five days later, the deal was done.

What happens next? A technical feasability study on the ship. Environmental issues are a worry, Rodriguez says, but it helps that all of the asbestos has already been removed. If all goes well, where and how the ship will be restored and renovated will be decided.

So, there’s hope at last for the SS United States, all because of Edie Rodriguez. “You have to have a vision,” she told journalists. And she does.

— Elleda Wilson