The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, invites the public and media to join the Mayor of Clinton and the Corps for a christening ceremony of its newest vessel, the Motor Vessel Clinton, on June 1 at 2 p.m., at the Clinton Marina, 511 Riverview Drive, Clinton, Iowa.

The new vessel is dedicated to the city of Clinton and joins the Mississippi River Project Maintenance fleet located at the Mississippi River Project Office in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. The Project Maintenance crew performs strike removal (mechanical dredging) to maintain the nine foot navigation channel throughout the 314 miles of Mississippi River in the Rock Island District. They are also responsible for construction and repair of wingdams and revetments throughout the same reach.

The M/V Clinton was delivered to the Rock Island District by Patti Marine Enterprises, an award-winning shipyard in Pensacola, Fla. She is 65 by 24 feet and is powered by two 600 horsepower C-18 Caterpillar Engines. It was designed and contracted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Marine Design Center in Philadelphia.

The vessel, which replaces the previously- named M/V Clinton, has two state rooms that can accommodate up to six crew members and a full galley on board. At the conclusion of the ceremony, tours of the vessel will be offered.