Christening Events Attract Large Attendance Numbers

Photo By James Finn | During a christening ceremony held May 13, in Davenport, Iowa, District Commander, Col. Steve Sattinger, and local community leaders ceremoniously break champagne bottles over a large metal sign, suspended from the USACE Rock Island District’s new heavy-lift crane, the Quad Cities.  

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL, UNITED STATES

07.01.2021

Story by Kelcy Hanson 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District

This spring, the Rock Island District had the unique opportunity to add two new members to its Mississippi River Structures Maintenance Fleet based at the Mississippi River Project Office in Pleasant Valley, Iowa. During two separate ceremonial christenings, the Motor Vessel Quincy and the Quad Cities heavy-lift crane barge were officially welcomed into the fleet and opened for public tours.

The first event, for the Motor Vessel Quincy, was held April 29-30 on the riverfront in Quincy, Illinois. Roughly 1,200 visitors turned out to witness the ceremony and tour the vessel over the two-day event. Rock Island District Commander, Col. Steve Sattinger invited Quincy mayor, Kyle More, to join him for the traditional cracking of the champaign bottle on the front of the vessel for good luck and safe passage.

The M/V Quincy was built in 2008 and was previously owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District as the M/V Gordon M. Stevens. The 124 foot long, 34 feet wide vessel is powered by two 1,500 horsepower engines and will serve as the fleet’s primary towing vessel for the Quad Cities crane barge. It has on board accommodations for up to 10 crew members and has a full galley for preparing and eating meals.

The second event, for the heavy-lift crane barge, the Quad Cities, was held May 13-14 at River Heritage Park in Davenport, Iowa, and included public tours of both the crane barge and the M/V Quincy as well as the official christening by Col. Sattinger and representatives from Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Illinois.
The newly christened Quad Cities replaces the District’s previous heavy lift crane, which was also titled the Quad Cities and had been in use since 1986.

“The vessel comes equipped with many upgraded features which will aid in quicker, safer and more reliable service,” said Mississippi River Project Operations Manager, Aaron Dunlop. “The crane and its crew are considered a regional asset and will provide support to projects all along the Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway, as well as other areas of the country.

Although the Quad Cities is the largest heavy-lift crane on the Mississippi River, its compact design and ability to adapt when water levels run high, make it a versatile tool.

“One of the biggest advantages of the new crane is the ability to fold down the boom within 30 minutes and when laid down, it is only 35 feet high,” said Tony Frost, engineer for the Quad Cities. “Being able to fold down that low and the ability to take in water to lower the barge an additional three feet is a huge advantage when there is high water.”

Having the ability to reduce the overall height of the barge gives the vessel an advantage when it comes to navigating inland waterways and going under bridges, even in high water situations. Together, the M/V Quincy and the Quad Cities will support the Mississippi River Project Structures Maintenance team as they provide critical repairs and maintenance support throughout the Rock Island District and beyond, for many years to come.

• Date Taken: 07.01.2021
• Date Posted: 07.06.2021 12:26
• Story ID: 400212
• Location: ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL, US