USS Arizona Memorial boat tours stopped today due to new concerns about dock ramp stability
Boat trips to the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial were paused this morning after the first two additional concerns about the stability of the dock ramp were noted by the USS Arizona Boat Detachment and National Park Service Rangers following the first two USS Arizona Memorial program runs.
“Until Navy Facilities (NAVFAC) can reassess the concerns, Pearl Harbor National Memorial staff have made the decision, out of an abundance of caution to pause additional USS Arizona Memorial programs,” the National Park Service said today in a press release.
The boat trips had just resumed today after they had been suspended for a week to remove the damaged dock ramp via crane to fix a broken coupling, National Park Service officials said.
The shoreside dock, which is used to embark passengers for the short boat ride to the memorial over the sunken battleship, was down for 17 days in September. A steel collar that connects the dock to the ramp bridge had been severed as a result of wake and tidal movement. The ramp had slid and was in danger of falling into the water, officials had said.
The new safety concern comes as the memorial enters its busy holiday season.
Reservations are not required to visit the Pearl Harbor visitor center grounds, museums, and park film. Visitors can still participate in the Pacific Historic Parks Audio Tour, VR Center, and visit The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
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Visit nps.gov/pearlharbor for more information.