Gov. Hospitalized After Choking at USS Iowa Dedication

The governor of Iowa was hospitalized after choking on food during a rededication ceremony for the former battleship USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles on Independence Day.

Gov. Terry Branstad was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital after choking on a carrot and vomiting during the event, according to his spokesman, Tim Albrecht. Branstad, 65, was then treated and released. He later returned to the ship for a 4th of July fireworks display, Albrecht said.

The 45,000-ton USS Iowa is scheduled to open to the public as a floating museum July 7 at the Port of LA’s Berth 87, directly south of the World Cruise Center.

The ceremony was attended by former USS Iowa crew members, other veterans and various elected officials, including Branstad, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin.

During its heyday, the USS Iowa took part in every major military conflict from World War II until the post-Cold War period. It was decommissioned in 1990 and donated to the Los Angeles-based Pacific Battleship Center in 2011.

The 887-foot ship arrived in Southern California in May after being based in Northern California for a time after being decommissioned as a warship in 1990.

The new museum’s operator, the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center says it will offer guided tours and educational programs, including overnight stays and youth camps. About 400,000 visitors are expected to visit the ship annually at its new home in the LA harbor.

USS Iowa Arrives in Southern California

After initially having its departure date delayed about a week, the former battleship being moved from Northern California to Southern California for a new role as a floating museum has arrived at its destination.

The 887-foot ship USS Iowa was originally scheduled to depart the Port of Richmond May 20 for a four day trip south, but was delayed six days due to rough seas in the San Francisco Bay area. It arrived at a temporary berth several miles offshore from Seal Beach, California, during the early morning hours of May 30.

The vessel was delivered by the 7,200-HP tugboat Warrior, which is operated by Crowley Maritime Corp. On June 9, Crowley’s harbor tugs are scheduled to move the ship up the main channel to its new permanent home in Berth 87 at the Port of Los Angeles.

“It is an honor for our team and company to have the privilege of caring for the USS Iowa on her journey to her new home,” Crowley port captain Andrew Gauthier said.

The 45,000-ton USS Iowa is scheduled to open to the public on July 7 at Berth 87, directly south of the World Cruise Center. The museum’s operator, the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center says it will offer guided tours and educational programs, including overnight stays and youth camps. About 400,000 visitors are expected to visit the ship annually.

During its heyday, the USS Iowa took part in every major military conflict from World War II until the post-Cold War period. It was decommissioned in 1990 and donated to the Los Angeles-based Pacific Battleship Center in 2011.

Floating Museum’s Move to Port of LA Delayed

Rough seas have delayed the arrival of the floating museum USS Iowa at its new permanent home at the Port of Los Angeles.

The retired battleship, which was commissioned in 1943 and decommissioned 47 years later, was expected to begin a journey this week to LA’s Berth 87, but the trip has been stalled by rough offshore waters in the San Francisco Bay area.

The 887-foot ship was originally scheduled to depart May 20 on the three-to-four day trip, but as of May 24, the departure is expected to come no sooner than Memorial Day Weekend, according to ship operations director and chief engineer Mike Getscher.

When it eventually arrives, the 45,000-ton vessel is scheduled to open to the public on July 7 at Berth 87 along the Main Channel, directly south of the World Cruise Center. The Pacific Battleship Center will offer guided tours and educational programs expected to include overnight stays and youth camps.

During its heyday, the USS Iowa took part in every major military conflict from World War II until the post-Cold War period. It was decommissioned in 1990. In 2011, it was donated to the Los Angeles-based non-profit Pacific Battleship Center.

Los Angeles Awarded Battleship USS Iowa

The United States Navy has awarded the famed World War II battleship USS Iowa to a Southern California group that plans to exhibit the warship as a permanent museum and memorial at the Port of Los Angeles.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus made the announcement Wednesday, naming the Los Angeles-based non-profit Pacific Battleship Center (PCB) as the recipient of the battleship over a Bay Area group that was also contending for the honor. The Navy had been considering the fate of the vessel since November of last year, when both groups submitted applications seeking the donation.

"We want to thank the Secretary of the Navy, and the entire United States Navy, for the donation of the USS Iowa to the Pacific Battleship Center," PCB president Robert Kent said.

"With this award, the USS Iowa will become a permanent museum, memorial and educational center. We can now move forward with the work necessary to restore the ship and to bring her to the Port of Los Angeles."

The battleship, which remains in the Navy inventory in "on hold" status as part of a government program that donates vessels to museum groups, saw service in World War II, Korea, and served again as part of the United States Navy's "big stick" policy from 1984 to 1989. It is the last surviving battleship in the world that has not been permanently placed as a floating museum.

The USS Iowa, now in long-term storage in Suisun Bay just east of San Francisco Bay, is set to be towed to Los Angeles near the end of the year.

Late last year, the governing board for the Port of Los Angeles approved supporting a plan by the PCB to acquire the battleship and ensconce the warship at the port as a floating museum.

Voting unanimously to support the PBC acquisition efforts, the port commission also approved the use of Berth 87 near the port's main cruise terminal as the future home for the battleship. The Los Angeles City Council had previously backed the PBC plan in September 2010.

The current Los Angeles plan calls for the battleship to be moored year-round at Berth 87, with portions of the vessel available to the public for guided tours, special events, and educational programs. Pending future funding, a second phase of the project may include an approximately 33,800-square foot, two-story landside Visitors Center that will include a museum and education center featuring historic artifacts, educational programs, and food concession areas; ticketing, gift shop, and restroom facilities.

An economic feasibility study conducted by outside consultant AECOM estimated that attendance to the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles would range between a low of 137,000 visitors a year to a high of 236,000 visitors a year, with a median of roughly 190,000 visitors a year from 2014 on. The analysis estimated that Southern California residents would make up roughly two-thirds of all visitors and the remaining third would be outside visitors.

However, the AECOM analysis estimated that even with these attendance numbers, the USS Iowa as an attraction would run a projected deficit of about $2.7 million a year. AECOM staff said this deficit would have to be addressed by other outside revenue such as fund raising, government support or philanthropic donations.

It is estimated that the start-up costs, including developing the site and restoring the vessel, would total just over $8.5 million during the first two years in Los Angeles.

In addition to a major fundraising effort set to start soon and which PCB hopes will raise $20 million, the state of Iowa has pledged $3 million to the restoration of the USS Iowa.

Depending on funding, the vessel could open to the public as early as 2012.

Los Angeles Port Seeks Public Input on USS Iowa Siting

The Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday released initial documents addressing the environmental impacts of siting the battleship USS Iowa at the port as an attraction and port officials are seeking public input on the port-generated Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP).

The battleship, which remains in the Navy inventory in "on hold" status as part of a government program that donates vessels to museum groups, saw service in World War II, Korea, and served again as part of the United States Navy's "big stick" policy from 1984 to 1989. It is the last remaining battleship in the world that has not been permanently placed as a floating museum.

Applications for the USS Iowa were submitted to the US Navy in late November 2010. Two groups are currently vying for the battleship, one in Los Angeles and one that is seeking to bring the vessel to Vallejo in the Bay Area.

In November 2010, the governing board for the Port of Los Angeles approved supporting a plan by the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center to acquire the battleship and ensconce the warship at the port as a floating museum.

Voting unanimously to support the PBC acquisition efforts, the port commission also approved the use of Berth 87 near the port's main cruise terminal as the future home for the battleship. The Los Angeles City Council backed the PBC plan in September 2010.
The Navy has yet to make a decision on the where the battleship will be located.

The current Los Angeles plan calls for the battleship to be moored year-round at Berth 87 with sufficient public parking for visitors. Portions of the USS Iowa would be available to the public for guided tours, special events, and educational programs.

Pending future funding, a second phase of the project may include an approximately 33,800-square foot, two-story landside Visitor Center that will include a museum and education center featuring historic artifacts, educational programs, and food concession areas; ticketing, gift shop, and restroom facilities.

The IS/NOP includes a discussion of the proposed project’s potential effects on the existing environment, and identification of analysis to be expanded in the forthcoming Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to reduce potential impacts as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The 30-day public comment/review period is from August 29 to September 29, 2011. A public meeting to receive comments will be held on Tuesday, September 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building.

The IS/NOP is available on the port's website at www.portoflosangeles.org.

Comments on the IS/NOP should be submitted in writing prior to the end of the 30-day public review period and must be postmarked by September 29, 2011. Please submit written comments to: Christopher Cannon, Director of Environmental Management, Port of Los Angeles 425 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro, CA 90731. Written comments may also be sent via email to ceqacomments@portla.org. Comments sent via email should include the project title in the subject line and a valid mailing address in the email.

SoCal Legislators Seek Resolution Urging USS Iowa to Los Angeles Port

A state resolution introduced by two Southern California state legislators is urging the United States Navy to transfer the famed World War II-era battleship USS Iowa to a group seeking to turn the warship into a floating museum at the Port of Los Angeles.

While the resolution is non-binding, it could help persuade the US Navy to support the Los Angeles plan. The resolution, AJR 8, was introduced by state Assembly members Warren Furutani, D-Gardena, and Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach.

The battleship, which remains in the Navy inventory in "on hold" status as part of a government program that donates vessels to museum groups, saw service in World War II, Korea, and served again as part of the US Navy's "big stick" policy from 1984 to 1989. It is the last remaining battleship in the world that has not been permanently placed as a floating museum.

Applications for the USS Iowa were submitted to the US Navy in late November 2010. Two groups are currently vying for the battleship, one in Los Angeles and one that is seeking to bring the vessel to Vallejo in the Bay Area.

In November 2010, the governing board for the Port of Los Angeles approved supporting a plan by the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center to acquire the battleship and ensconce the warship at the port as a floating museum.

Voting unanimously to support the PBC acquisition efforts, the port commission also approved the use of Berth 87 near the port's main cruise terminal as the future home for the battleship. The Los Angeles City Council backed the PBC plan in September 2010.

The resolution, which highlights the major points of the pro-Los Angeles plan, also states that the plan is supported by the port-area community, including the San Pedro-area neighborhood councils, San Pedro businesses, the City of Los Angeles, the Port of Los Angeles, as well as the past four governors of the state of Iowa.

AJR 8 concludes by stating: "...the Legislature respectfully memorializes the United States Navy to approve the application submitted by the Pacific Battleship Center to house the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles."

The resolution is now in the Assembly's Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media.

An economic feasibility study conducted by outside consultant AECOM estimated that attendance to the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles would range between a low of 137,000 visitors a year to a high of 236,000 visitors a year, with a median of roughly 190,000 visitors a year from 2014 on. The analysis estimated that Southern California residents would make up roughly two-thirds of all visitors and the remaining third would be outside visitors.

However, the AECOM analysis estimated that even with these attendance numbers, the USS Iowa as an attraction would run a projected deficit of about $2.7 million a year. AECOM staff said this deficit would have to be addressed by other outside revenue such as fund raising, government support or philanthropic donations.

AECOM staff pointed out that the USS Iowa, as an attraction at the port, would have an earned income of just under 50 percent of its annual budget – a figure AECOM staff called "in line with other cultural attractions."

If the warship does come to Los Angeles, the port – while incurring some costs due to required shifting of cruise vessels – will not be providing money for the setup, operation and maintenance of the USS Iowa. These costs will be borne by the PBC.

Los Angeles Port Approves Plan to Acquire USS Iowa

The Port of Los Angeles may be getting a new tenant – one that boasts quite a war record.

The governing board for the Port of Los Angeles on Thursday approved supporting a non-profit group's plan to acquire the famed World War II-era battleship USS Iowa from the US Navy and ensconce the warship at the port as a floating museum.

Voting unanimously to support the acquisition efforts of the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center, the port commission also approved the use of Berth 87 near the port's main cruise terminal as the future home for the battleship. The Los Angeles City Council backed the PBC plan in September.

The port commission approval of the plan was a critical and required step before PBC could officially submit an application to the Navy to receive the USS Iowa. The Navy deadline for applications is November 24.

“Los Angeles is the perfect place for this majestic battleship,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “Docking the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles would be a reminder to visitors of the vital role that the port has played for the United States Navy during the 20th Century and would serve as a poignant monument to the sacrifices of the brave Navy men and women who have served our country.”

The battleship, which remains in the Navy inventory in "on hold" status as part of a government program that donates vessels to museum groups, saw service in World War II, Korea, and served again as part of the US Navy's "big stick" policy from 1984 to 1989. It is the last remaining battleship in the world that has not been permanently placed as a floating museum.

"We’re glad to be a part of this historic effort to find a permanent and appropriate home for the USS Iowa,” said Harbor Commission President Cindy Miscikowski. “While there are still issues that need to be addressed, the Harbor Commission’s action today makes it clear that we are committed to assisting the Pacific Battleship Center make this vision a reality.”

An economic feasibility study conducted by outside consultant AECOM estimated that attendance to the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles would range between a low of 137,000 visitors a year to a high of 236,000 visitors a year, with a median of roughly 190,000 visitors a year from 2014 on. The analysis estimated that Southern California residents would make up roughly two-thirds of all visitors and the remaining third would be outside visitors.

However, the AECOM analysis estimated that even with these attendance numbers, the USS Iowa as an attraction would run a projected deficit of about $2.7 million a year. AECOM staff said this deficit would have to be addressed by other outside revenue such as fund raising, government support or philanthropic donations.

AECOM staff pointed out that the USS Iowa, as an attraction at the port, would have an earned income of just under 50 percent of its annual budget – a figure AECOM staff called "in line with other cultural attractions."

If the warship does come to Los Angeles, the port – while incurring some costs due to required shifting of cruise vessels – will not be providing money for the setup, operation and maintenance of the USS Iowa. These costs will be borne by the PBC.

Plan Advances to Bring Famed Battleship to Los Angeles

Efforts to bring the famed World War II battleship USS Iowa continued to gain steam last week.

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners heard additional details of the plan to make the warship a floating museum at the port and the results of an economic study on the viability of the ship as an attraction.

The economic feasibility study was conducted by outside consultant AECOM. Staff from the firm presented the port commission with its findings on Nov. 4.

The study compared six existing battleship attractions nationwide and noted an average yearly attendance of about 200,000 visitors at each. These five-year averages ranged from an average annual high of 393,000 visitors to the USS Missouri docked at Pearl Harbor to an annual average low of 98,000 visitors to the USS Massachusetts located at Fall River, Mass.

The AECOM analysis estimated that attendance to the USS Iowa at the Port of Los Angeles would range between a low of 137,000 visitors a year to a high of 236,000 visitors a year, with a median of roughly 190,000 visitors a year from 2014 on. The analysis estimated that Southern California residents would make up roughly two-thirds of all visitors and the remaining third would be outside visitors.

However, the AECOM analysis estimated that even with these attendance numbers, the USS Iowa as an attraction would run a projected deficit of about $2.7 million a year. AECOM staff said this deficit would have to be addressed by other outside revenue such as fund raising, government support or philanthropic donations.

AECOM staff pointed out that the USS Iowa, as an attraction at the port, would have an earned income of just under 50 percent of its annual budget – a figure AECOM staff called "in line with other cultural attractions."

The current plan calls for docking the battleship at Berth 87 near the port's main cruise terminal.

The Los Angeles City Council in September backed a plan by the non-profit Pacific Battleship Center to bring the World War II battleship USS Iowa to the Port of Los Angeles.

The battleship, which remains in the Navy inventory in "on hold" status as part of a government program that donates vessels to museum groups, saw service in World War II, Korea, and served again as part of the US Navy's "big stick" policy from 1984 to 1989. It is the last remaining battleship in the world that has not been permanently placed as a floating museum.

The US Navy, which determined earlier this year that another proposal by a group seeking to locate the warship in the Bay Area fell short, reopened bids for hopefuls wishing to acquire the USS Iowa.

In August, Los Angeles port officials began a study of the proposal and cost benefit analysis of the proposal seeking to bring the vessel to the port.

Approval of a 10-year lease from the Los Angeles port is needed before PBC can submit an application to the Navy to receive the USS Iowa. The Navy deadline for applications is November 24.

The port commission is expected to vote on approving the plan before the Nov. 24 US Navy deadline.

LA Port Nixes Battleship Museum Plan

The Port of Los Angeles has fired a full broadside salvo into a historical group's plans to bring the World War II battleship USS Iowa to the port as a museum piece.

Port officials said late last week that the USS Iowa plan by the Pacific Battleship Center was rejected because it would complicate and interfere with an ongoing development of the port's public waterfront area.

The PBC group is not the only group vying for the battleship, and according to the port, the Navy has only made the mothballed ship available to a group trying to bring the warship to Vallejo in Northern California. The Northern California effort has also faced funding problems in finding a permanent home for the USS Iowa.

The Navy continues to maintain the USS Iowa in an "on hold" status as part of a government program that donates vessels to museum groups.

The USS Iowa is the last remaining battleship in the world that has not been placed in a museum.

Port of Los Angeles officials said that all seven port sites proposed by the PBC group were inconsistent with the port's own plans for the waterfront area, which ironically includes the San Pedro Bay's only maritime museum.