Upgrades planned for historic Battleship New Jersey

The Battleship New Jersey is preparing to launch a $1.6 million capital improvement project.

The tourist attraction on Camden's Waterfront will replace an outdated electric heating system with one that uses less costly natural gas, said Philip Rowan, executive director of the floating museum and memorial.

Among other changes, workers will replace worn mooring lines, repair gangways, upgrade elevators and paint the vessel's hull. Workers also will upgrade the battleship's food service and its visitors shop.

Camden County freeholders are to vote on a loan guarantee for the ship, reflecting the vessel's strained finances. Bonds for the project will be issued by the Camden County Improvement Authority.

"We need credit support," allowed Rowan, citing the ship's tight finances. "These are needed improvements."

Rowan said the ship spends about $600,000 a year on a "very inefficient" heating system that relies on electrical components throughout the ship. The new system is expected to cut that cost by about $105,000 annually.

Multiple grants will reduce the ship's debt by about $600,000 in one year's time, Rowan said; as a result, savings from the new system should provide cash to pay off the remaining $1 million in debt over 10 years.

The gas-fueled boilers will be installed on land near the ship; pipes will carry heated water through the vessel. The electric heating system will remain in place as a backup.

"We'd like to have it done for this winter," Rowan said of the new heating system, adding that other improvements, including the upgraded store, could be completed by spring 2015.

The ship, open to tourists since October 2001, was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and went to sea in December 1942.

The museum, which struggled financially due to state aid reductions in recent years, is making a turnaround, Rowan asserted.

He said the battleship, fully funded in recent state budgets, has increased revenues from a sleep-over program while maintaining levels for general admission.

"All signs are pointing in the right direction."

Reach Jim Walsh at jwalsh@courierpostonline.com or (856) 486-2646.