Save the queen! Save a piece of American history!

That is the chant around the country as thousands fight to keep the delta queen riverboat afloat. Time is running out before the federal government shuts it down. Local communities rallied on the river today for a beloved friend.

“She provided such great service,” Norman Potashnick, a frequent Delta Queen passenger, said.

He has cruised the historic riverboat for more than 50 years. But, after 35 cruises, cruise number 36 may be his last.

The queen has operated under a 42year exemption of the Safety of Life at Sea Law. The law forbids any vessel from operating in U.S. waterways carrying more than 50 passengers overnight that's constructed primarily of wood.

November first, the Delta's exemption runs out. That is why rallies like this are taking place up and down the river routes fighting to save the queen.

“What a shame! How can you remove such a lady from the river?” Lewis Hankins, Delta Queen passenger, said.

“How long have I ridden the queen? 300-400 times. I work on it,” Hankins said.

He plays Mark Twain and does weekly presentations aboard the queen. While the Delta was once primarily wood, it has been upgraded in many ways. It has a double steel hull and the decks have been reinforced by steel wrapped in wood to preserve the historic look.

Losing the Delta Queen would have major ramifications for small town stops like Pt. Pleasant. Charles Humphreys is the Economic Development Director for Mason County. He fought to make the Point a regular stop of the historic cruiser.

“The United States should go to war over something like this. That’s how important the queen is to Pt. Pleasant,” Humphreys said.

Pat Anderson is a Delta Queen novice. She enjoyed herself so much on her first cruise three years ago that when she heard the Delta Queen may be retired, she just had to book at least one more trip.

“You get to relax and enjoy and the only downfall is they feed you too much. It’s 24/7 food and you can’t turn them down because you don’t want to hurt their feelings,” Anderson said.

The Delta Queen will dock again in Pt. Pleasant on October 1st and one last time on October 7th. The city is planning a big tribute to the boat on that day.

If you’d like to help save the queen -- write or call your local congressional representative.