American Queen Steamboat awarded a contract to Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La., to convert a 23-year-old casino boat into a 245-passenger riverboat. The Kanesville Queen will become the American Countess, the fourth vessel for AQS that recently moved its headquarters from Memphis to New Albany, Ind. Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter. No delivery date has been announced. The company earlier said it expected to start its cruises primarily on e Lower Mississippi River in 2019. The 257-foot vessel will travel under its own power to Gulf Island in Houma from Marine Builders Inc. in Jeffersonville, Ind., where it’s been sitting since moving from Iowa. AQS has built its fleet by and refurbishing used vessels. (Source: Work Boat 09/17/18)
Shipbuilding and maritime related news from the Central Gulf Coast region
