Huge towboat to dock in Cape on Friday, Saturday

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites the public to tour the largest diesel towboat operating on the Mississippi River when it docks Friday and Saturday in Cape Girardeau.

Free tours of the Motor Vessel Mississippi will be offered.

Public open houses aboard the vessel will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday. While its primary purpose is to move barges in support of bank stabilization work on the lower Mississippi River, the Mississippi River Commission's flagship also houses 22 staterooms, a dining room that seats 85 and a conference room capable of seating 115.

It also is used by the Corps to visit riverside communities and host public meetings each spring and late summer.

The presidentially appointed Mississippi River Commission holds two meetings each year in the region as it tours the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District. The meetings provide an opportunity to hear public comments on water resources, promoting commerce and reducing flood risks.

The commission consists of Corps officers, a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and three civilians, including two civil engineers.

During the tour, known as the low-water inspection trip, the Cape Girardeau meeting agenda will include the public presentations to the commission; a summary report on national and regional issues affecting the Corps, commission programs and projects on the Mississippi River and tributaries; and an overview on current project issues in the district. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Friday.

More information about the Motor Vessel Mississippi and the Mississippi River Commission is available at www.mvd.usace.army.mil.

Pertinent address:

Water Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.