American Cruise Lines rolls out American Melody

American Melody moves to launch ways at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Md.

American Cruise Lines, Guilford, Conn., reports that just two months after accepting delivery of the American Jazz, its next new ship is already being readied for launch at its affiliate, Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md.

The forward hull section of American Melody was moved from a hull fabrication building to the launch ways earlier this week, where it will be joined to the aft section and launched into the Wicomico River.

The mammoth hull section was moved utilizing a heavy-lift ground-transfer system that distributes and levels the load as it moves. Towering above the shipyard’s personnel on the ground, the hull slowly and almost silently, glides to its destination at the river’s edge.

American Melody, the fourth new ship in American Cruise Lines’ modern riverboat series is on schedule for delivery to the Mississippi River next year.