Getting a 45-ton riverboat ready for winter is no easy task.
A house moving company from eastern Iowa arrived Tuesday in Muscatine to pull the Pearl Button out of the Mississippi River for an inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Rick Goodwin, owner of Goodwin House Movers of Washington, told the Muscatine Journal that he and his family have worked 80 years moving houses, greenhouses, silos, bridge spans and rail cars — but never a paddle wheel until now.
“We never started a job we couldn’t finish,” Goodwin said.
That was good news to boat owner Tom Meeker, as the Pearl Button was due for its five-year inspection. The Coast Guard must certify the integrity and thickness of the bottom of the flat-bottom passenger boat.
Meeker said moving the boat cost $12,000.
“It’s a good thing they only inspect it every five years,” he said, laughing.
The paddleboat, built in 1985, was the first side-wheeler commissioned in 100 years, according to its website. It’s 61 feet long and 24 feet wide.
Now that it’s out of the water, the boat will be painted and have any needed repairs. Meeker said he expects the process to take about two weeks — unless inspectors find problems.
“If you see it on the ramp in the middle of November, that’s not good,” he said.
But the Pearl Button is probably done cruising for the season, he said. After the inspection and the work are completed, it will spend the winter in the Muscatine boat harbor.
“You wouldn’t believe how many visitors tell me what a beautiful city we have,” he said.
“This is a unique boat. I believe we can be an example city for the entire country.”
Source: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111016/NEWS/310160043/1001/
Movers West Los Angeles
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A house moving company from eastern Iowa arrived Tuesday in Muscatine to pull the Pearl Button out of the Mississippi River for an inspection by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Rick Goodwin, owner of Goodwin House Movers of Washington, told the Muscatine Journal that he and his family have worked 80 years moving houses, greenhouses, silos, bridge spans and rail cars — but never a paddle wheel until now.
“We never started a job we couldn’t finish,” Goodwin said.
That was good news to boat owner Tom Meeker, as the Pearl Button was due for its five-year inspection. The Coast Guard must certify the integrity and thickness of the bottom of the flat-bottom passenger boat.
Meeker said moving the boat cost $12,000.
“It’s a good thing they only inspect it every five years,” he said, laughing.
The paddleboat, built in 1985, was the first side-wheeler commissioned in 100 years, according to its website. It’s 61 feet long and 24 feet wide.
Now that it’s out of the water, the boat will be painted and have any needed repairs. Meeker said he expects the process to take about two weeks — unless inspectors find problems.
“If you see it on the ramp in the middle of November, that’s not good,” he said.
But the Pearl Button is probably done cruising for the season, he said. After the inspection and the work are completed, it will spend the winter in the Muscatine boat harbor.
“You wouldn’t believe how many visitors tell me what a beautiful city we have,” he said.
“This is a unique boat. I believe we can be an example city for the entire country.”
Source: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20111016/NEWS/310160043/1001/
Movers West Los Angeles
Movers Chula Vista
Movers Alum Rock
Movers Miramar
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