Oklahomans Can View Country's Largest Inland Tugboat

NewsOn6.com

UNDATED -- Oklahomans have a chance to see the nation's largest inland towboat as it visits the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System for the first time this weekend.

There are opportunities for the public to see the Motor Vessel Mississippi as it locks through several lock and dams during its trip, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The vessel, which is 241 feet long, will be pushing an empty barge and the combined length of the barge and vessel will be 450 ft long and 58 ft wide - virtually filling the 600 by 150 ft lock chamber.

Saturday, August 7

Updated Schedule: The MV Mississippi is expected to arrive at the Port of Catoosa at 4 p.m.

Monday, August 9

12:30 p.m. – Lock and Dam 16, Webbers Falls, north of Gore (stationary until 2:30 p.m.)
5:30 p.m. – Lock and Dam 15, Robert S. Kerr, south of Sallisaw
8:15 p.m. – Lock and Dam 14, W.D. Mayo, west of Fort Smith

The vessel will carry the Mississippi River Commission, a group of seven members each nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the senate.

The commission will meet with stakeholders and federal, state and local officials and hear first hand the issues and concerns they have about the system. These meetings will allow the commission to make informed recommendations regarding the navigation system that will have lasting benefits to stakeholders and the public.