OWNERS OF SUNKEN DREDGE WAITING FOR ACTION

The owners of the former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge "Ste. Genevieve" wish a Cape Girardeau boat repair company would decide whether to raise and repair the sunken boat.

The Ste. Genevieve sank in the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau on March 10 while it was docked at the Missouri Drydock and Repair Service boatyard.

Now the owners, Marine Learning Institute, say they might consider legal action against the boatyard if something isn't done soon.

Richard Wooten, director of the Marine Learning Institute, said the dredge was in the care of the boatyard after undergoing repairs to its hull when it sank first time on Oct. 1, 1992, near Wickliffe, Ky. A federal judge has yet to decide a lawsuit involving the first sinking.

After the boat sank at Cape Girardeau this year, three companies submitted bids to Missouri Drydock and Repair Service for raising the dredge. Wooten said the institute is waiting on the boatyard to decide what it will do.

The boatyard's owner, Rob Erlbacher, told Wooten he wants to dismantle the dredge for salvage.

"We want the boat raised, repaired and returned to us whole," said Wooten. "We now have two locations for the boat to go on display as a museum and learning center -- in Florida and now in Missouri."

Wooten said Erlbacher has had plenty of time to decide what to do about the boat. "It's time to get off the dime," he said. "The water is low enough now to bring the boat up safely. If there is any additional delay, I think it could be considered negligence on the part of the boatyard."

Wooten said the institute's attorney contacted Erlbacher by letter and telephone requesting a meeting between the two parties as soon as possible. "We've been assured by Mr. Erlbacher that the boatyard has full insurance on the boat, so we do not understand the reason for the delay," said Wooten. "We are willing to negotiate, but if something doesn't happen soon, we must consider legal action."

Erlbacher has declined to talk about the dredge other than to say he is owed money for repairs made to the boat after the first sinking.

The 267-foot stern-wheeler was retired by the Corps of Engineers in 1984 after 52 years in government service.

It was donated to the Marine Learning Institute, a non-profit organization, in November 1992. The institute wants to turn the dredge into a floating museum and educational center.

Wooten said the dredge has an appraised value of $600,000 to $775,000.

The Ford Foundation at Fort Meyers, Fla., has offered the institute a place to berth the dredge. The institute also has an offer to moor the dredge on the Mississippi River in Missouri.