I think the last Delta Queen failed a Coast Guard seaworthy test and was not given a cert to operated in US waters. This is because it was worn out, and even though it still had a great deal of charm the operators must have made the decision to replace and not repair.

I find it amazing that anyone would want to go back to the unregulated days of sea travel. Most folks don't understand that hulls thin as they travel thorough water, and even thought it usually takes fifty years for this to take place the day will come when they are unsafe to operate.

Hulls can be maintained, but it is normally cheaper to just purchase a new vessel.

And... You may be wondering why I know this stuff. I was once in charge of a few oil tankers that operate in US waters and was always catching grief from the maritime operations folks for one thing or another. I just pointed out that I was the one signing off on the vessel's capability, and if they wished to assume that job I would be glad to turn it over to them.

But running a fleet of tankers is easy if you have a well trained staff that is doing all of the work.