Since launching our
Save Our Ship Campaign on March 2nd, the Conservancy has received an overwhelmingly positive response, through attendance at our New York campaign launch event, membership support and renewals, and participation in our new
Plank Owner program.
During this Red Alert phase, the Conservancy has maintained ongoing communication with Norwegian Cruise Line/Genting Hong Kong, and we have verified that bids from scrappers have been received. Our conversations with the current owners indicate that a mutually beneficial arrangement on behalf of the ship is possible, but far from certain.
As we continue our dialogue with the ship's owners and other key stakeholders, we understand that the SS
United States is still in danger of being lost. We ask once again for continued support from our members, the American public, and U.S. government officials. We would also welcome a dialogue with any potential investors who share our vision of establishing a public-private partnership to re-purpose the ship in a major metropolitan waterfront.
We have been truly heartened by the response to our Save Our Ship Campaign. During the past month, the Conservancy has raised almost $50,000! As of April 1, almost 600 Plank Owners have joined our community. Thank you so much for this vote of confidence! Once again, we apologize for the delay in processing and distributing Plank Owner certificates., and we are grateful for your patience.
The funds we've raised to date will be spent on developing professional feasibility studies on re-purposing the ship, continued business and real estate planning, historical and educational materials and programs, and a variety of core costs necessary to support our volunteer effort. A number of you have asked what your donation will fund if we fail to prevent the sale of the ship for scrap. In the event that our efforts fall short - and we will do everything in our power to prevent this scenario - your funds will help us to salvage historic items from the vessel and permanently enshrine the SS
United States' legacy in various museum and educational venues.
Once again, we ask for your continued support as we chart a forward course. We remain optimistic that we can shepherd a win-win solution for our national flagship. We continue to work to Save Our Ship and ask you to keep generating momentum via Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and direct outreach to your friends and family....
Thank you so much!
SS United States Conservancy Board of Directors