After two years of hard work and countless hours of meetings and travel, HMS Global Maritime is proud to announce the purchase of the American Queen.

Here is the press release with articles linked at the end.

HMS GLOBAL MARITIME COMPLETES PURCHASE OF THE AMERICAN QUEEN

The Grandest, Most Opulent Riverboat Ever Built Is Set to Return to America’s Heartland

Legendary Voyages to Resume in the Spring of 2012

August 5, 2011, New Albany, IN – HMS Global Maritime is pleased to announce that they have completed the purchase of the steamboat American Queen.

Built in 1995, the American Queen, at 419-feet long, is the largest, most opulent riverboat ever built and offers 222 exceptionally appointed staterooms and suites that accommodate 436 guests who are graciously attended to by a crew of 160.

John Waggoner, President and CEO of HMS Global Maritime state, “I am thrilled that this acquisition is finally complete. It has been a long, windy and challenging road, but we finally made it to the end. Having the American Queen ply the waters of the mighty Mississippi and its tributaries is a piece of Americana that should be returned to service. Furthermore, the 250 jobs that this vessel will create will help stimulate the economy.”

Voyage lengths will range from three nights to fourteen nights, detailed itineraries and fares will be available next month.

www.greatamericansteamboatcompany.com 

About HMS Global Marine Services

HMS Global Maritime, headquartered in New Albany, Indiana is a privately held internationally respected, full-service marine management company.  HMS Global Maritime’s resources and experienced team deliver tailored, cutting edge marine solutions for clients around the globe. For more information, visit: www.hmsgm.com.

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Memphis to become home port for the 418-foot American Queen sternwheeler - The Commercial Appeal
Steamboat Company Moves to Memphis This Fall – Memphis Flyer
American Queen purchased, inaugural cruise set for April 11, 2012 – Memphis Business Journal
American Queen Seals GASC Move to Memphis – Memphis Daily News
American Queen steamboat to bring passenger service back to Memphis, Mississippi River – The Republic
Cohen Delivers Jobs to Memphis by Helping Secure Finalization of American Queen Deal – Office of Congressman Steve Cohen

HMS Global Maritime got some good news form the city of Memphis this week on its desire to get into the ‘Steamboatin” business.

Here are a few articles to get you up on all of the latest on our new venture.

Editorial: The Right Home for a Queen – Memphis Commercial-Appeal
Riverboat to Boost Local Economy – MyFox Memphis
Memphis City Council all aboard proposal for new steamboat – Memphis Commercial Appeal
Steamboat company considering moving to Memphis – Action News 5
Overnight River Cruises to Finance Beale Street Landing – Memphis Daily News

HMS GLOBAL MARITIME SUPPORTS III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES IN OPERATION TOMODACHI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 14, 2011 (NEW ALBANY Ind.)  – HMS-WestPac Inc. and the crew of the HSV WestPac Express is honored to support the III Marine Expeditionary Forces (III MEF) in its foreign humanitarian assistance operations to the affected region of Japan after last weeks devastating earthquake and tsunami.

The HSV WestPac Express is underway as a part of Operation Tomodachi, meaning “friends” in Japanese, a phrase chosen by the Japanese.

The High Speed Vessel (HSV) left Naha Military Port in Okinawa, Japan at 9 a.m. local time, en route to mainland Japan. The HSV will deliver a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) for use in assistance operations. A FARP is a temporary facility normally located close to the area of operations that allows aircraft to conduct continuous operations without having to return to an established airport to obtain fuel. This capability enables helicopters to fly rescue and transport missions almost non-stop.

Additionally, the HSV will be transporting additional supplies, communications equipment and personnel that will be needed in the relief operations.

“The WestPac Express has been homeported in Okinawa for nine years,” said John Waggoner, HMS Global Maritime President and CEO. “Our presence in Japan has enabled us, to form close relationships and more importantly, friendships. With this mission, we are simply helping our friends.”

“The Master of the HSV WestPac Express, Kanoa Parker, has been in constant communication with operational support at our corporate office,” said Greg Brown, Vice President of Marine Operations at HMS Global Maritime. “We are committed to delivering the vessel for any support needed by the III MEF.”

The HSV WestPac Express has been operated by HMS Global Maritime for the past nine years as a high-speed transport for military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia. The 101-meter vessel can carry 970 passengers and 236 vehicles at speeds of 40 knots.

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HMS Global Maritime provides marine management and consulting to state, federal and private clients in need of professional turnkey vessel management systems. We help our clients meet changing market conditions through effective and experienced cost effective solutions. For more information, log on to: www.hmsgm.com.

Thanks go to Carrie Robertson for the photos. You can check out her site, thirdcoastphoto.com

HMS Global Maritime opened up another location this week. Its 18th location opened up in Corpus Christi, Texas with the Harbor Ferry.

Here is the story from Caller.com

For the second year in a row, HMS Global maritime (Hornblower Marine Services) was honored as one of the top fastest-growing entrepreneurial businesses in America.

This year, HMSGM (Hornblower) came in at #3421.

You can read info about the list here.

On Monday, June 14, President Barack Obama boarded an HMS-Alabama vessel, the Marissa Mae Nicole, to check out some of the oil damage to the surrounding coast first hand.

President Obama took a cruise from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley; U.S. Coast Guard Adm, Thad Allen; Robert Craft, the mayor of Gulf Shores; and Valerie Jarrett, a member of the president’s staff.

Click read more for some pictures from the cruise and news stories.

Blog post from AL.com – Read
Montgomery Advertiser – Read
NOLA.com – Read

Austal News’ latest publication had two Hornblower Marine Service stories, showing off our new catamaran’s in Trinidad and the HMS Haiti operations from earlier this year.

Click the link to download the .pdf package.

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