Navigating the Mississippi River isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s one of the most demanding environments in the country, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District continues to meet those challenges head-on. North River Boats is proud to support that mission with a custom-built, U.S.C.G. Subchapter T Passenger Vessel Inspected Crew Transfer Boat created specifically for the Dredge Jadwin, a cornerstone of USACE Vicksburg’s operations.
At 44 feet long with a 14-foot beam and 34-inch side height, this aluminum aft-cabin vessel is designed to deliver performance, durability, and comfort. Certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry 28 passengers plus 2 crew, it serves as a vital link, ferrying personnel and supplies between shore and the Jadwin during dredging operations.
North River is known for building purpose-built keel-up designed vessels, and this one is no different. This project required a complete engineering review and a full U.S.C.G. submission for approval before production could even begin. North River blended high-capacity crew transport with triple-diesel outboard propulsion and onboard systems capable of supporting survey work, showcasing the kind of innovation that results when mission-specific needs meet custom boatbuilding expertise.
The vessel will be powered by three 300 HP OXE diesel outboard engines, delivering strong, dependable performance to meet the demands of river operations. A 400-gallon diesel tank will supply both the engines and a 12.5 kW Phasor generator, which will power three roof-mounted air conditioning units and the onboard electronics.
While the primary mission is ferrying personnel to and from the Jadwin, the boat will also play a crucial logistical role by making weekly grocery runs to resupply the Jadwin and the crew, who live on board for months at a time during active dredging seasons. As a floating work community, the Jadwin is equipped with its own galley, laundry, and living quarters, and this new Crew Boat is a lifeline for keeping that operation running smoothly. In a single day, it might deliver fresh food, drop off personnel, pick up engineers, and haul survey gear all without skipping a beat.
This vessel will represent a significant milestone in North River’s continually evolving portfolio of custom workboats. For decades, North River has earned a reputation for building tough, high-performance aluminum vessels trusted by military, law enforcement, and commercial operators across the country. However, this project stands out as something entirely new. It’s a custom solution tailored not just to transport crew, but to serve as a reliable utility platform in support of ongoing dredging and survey operations on one of the most dynamic waterways in the world, the Mississippi River.
North River is an employee-owned company with a 125,000-square-foot manufacturing facility located in Roseburg, OR. We offer both a commercial and a recreational line of boats, ranging in size from 20 to 60 feet. Every boat is purpose-built with the mission in mind. For more information, visit www.northriverboats.com. For sales inquiries, call 800-413-6351.