Taggatz selected as one of 10 significant boats of 2008
2008-101; Dec. 23, 2008
SAINT PAUL, MINN. -- WorkBoat magazine selected the Quarters Boat Taggatz as one of its 10 significant boats of 2008.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, commissioned the building of the Taggatz in May of 2006 and awarded the contract in August of 2006 to Patti Shipyard of Pensacola, Fla. It arrived in the district in July of 2008. The Taggatz completed the district’s three vessel dredging fleet that also includes the Dredge Goetz and the Motor Vessel General Warren. The fleet replaced the Dredge Thompson and is used to maintain the Upper Mississippi River and its navigable tributaries.
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The Taggatz is 160 foot long and 40 foot wide and is used to house those working on the dredging crew. It has a two-level house with living quarters for a crew of 58 and the capability to feed 40 persons at one sitting. In addition, it has office space to perform administrative work and an engineering room in the hull. It cost approximately $13 million to build.
The non-propelled barge was selected for this award because of its 'stand-alone' capability – as it can both support the dredge fleet and also be used on its own as a separate vessel. Its water maker pulls water directly from the muddy river, filters, evaporates and reconstitutes for all crew and fleet needs. The Integrated Communications Platform is fully digital and incorporates telephone/PBX, intercom, public address and general alarms into a common panel – a sizeable step from radios, bells and cell phones. A well laid out state-of-art galley, mess/training room, lounge and business office compliment two- and four-bed berths, each with a private head and shower. A satellite dish provides reliable emergency phone service and internet access to all rooms. Business processing is now no different than if one was in the district office in St. Paul.
The award was presented to the district at the annual Workboat Show in New Orleans on Shipyard Day, Dec. 3, and was featured in the July 2008 issue of this highly popular industry magazine.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $126 million to the five-state district economy. The more than 625 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.
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