From:	"Andracsek, Robynn" <RAndracsek@burnsmcd.com>

To:	Michael Samulski/AA/USEPA/US@EPA

Date:	12/11/2009 04:03 PM

Subject:	RE: SS Jeremiah O'Brien and the new ocean going vessel
regulations



I have attached documentation of our status as a National Historic
Landmark.

 

_____________________________

Robynn Andracsek, P.E.|Senior Environmental Engineer

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.               

9400 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114

Direct: 816.822.3596 | Main:  816.333.9400

Mobile:  816.377.1288| Fax:816.822.4299

  HYPERLINK "mailto:randracsek@burnsmcd.com"  randracsek@burnsmcd.com  

From: Andracsek, Robynn 

Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 2:56 PM

To: 'Samulski.Michael@epa.gov'

Cc: 'dkoller@ssjeremiahobrien.org'; 'bernardtr@aol.com'

Subject: SS Jeremiah O'Brien and the new ocean going vessel regulations

Importance: High

 

Mr. Samulski-

 

I am writing on behalf of the SS. Jeremiah O’Brien, the last working
WWII Liberty ship.  I am their volunteer environmental engineer.   
HYPERLINK "http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/" 
http://www.ssjeremiahobrien.org/ 

 

The O’Brien was constructed in June 1943 and made seven World War II
voyages, ranging from England and Northern Ireland to South America, to
India, to Australia. She also made eleven crossings of the English
Channel carrying personnel and supplies to the Normandy beaches in
support of the D-Day invasion. After the war, she was "mothballed" and
laid up in the Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay, north of San Francisco. In
1979, the O'Brien headed for San Francisco to be restored. No other ship
ever has steamed out of the mothball fleet under her own power. 

 

The O'Brien is approved by the American Bureau of Shipping, certified by
the U.S. Coast Guard, and fully seaworthy -- the only active Liberty
Ship in original configuration. Operated as the National Liberty Ship
Memorial, she is moored at Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf and open to the
public most days. Virtually the entire ship from engine room to flying
bridge can be seen by visitors. Boilers are "lit off," and the
2500-horsepower, triple-expansion reciprocating steam main engine is
operated on Steaming Weekends (normally the third Saturday and Sunday of
each month) so visitors can see the engine plant in action. 

 

The O’Brien is a National Historic Landmark.  It is the last unaltered
Liberty Ship and remains historically accurate. All ships carrying
passengers operate under US Government Regulations listed in Title 46 of
the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations). The SS Jeremiah O'Brien, along
with 5 other museum ships, operates under a special permit which exempts
it from some regulations listed in the Code. The Coast Guard inspects
the ship before every cruise, and we must follow the directions of these
inspectors.

 

The O’Brien has a three cylinder, reciprocating triple expansion steam
engine, 2,500 HP.  It lights off on diesel fuel and then burns a heavy
oil to make steam.  I have confirmed that the main boiler is not subject
to the CARB regulations.  Our auxiliary diesel equipment is in fuel
compliance and uses low sulfur fuel.  Please see the attached emails.

 

I am available via phone, cell, and email to answer any questions about
the vessel and its compliance with environmental regulations. 
Obviously, the ship could not be modified to burn a low sulfur fuel
without destroying its historically integrity.  Please consider
including an exemption for historic vessels in any new regulations
applicable to existing ships.

 

Thank you.

 

_____________________________

Robynn Andracsek, P.E.|Senior Environmental Engineer

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc.               

9400 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114

Direct: 816.822.3596 | Main:  816.333.9400

Mobile:  816.377.1288| Fax:816.822.4299

  HYPERLINK "mailto:randracsek@burnsmcd.com"  randracsek@burnsmcd.com  

