American Cruise Lines has announced the successful launching of its newest paddlewheeler, America, three weeks ahead of schedule.

The America is being built for the Mississippi River at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. The launching took place on Friday morning.

Immediately after being launched, tugboats skillfully nudged the new riverboat into Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s East Outfitting Basin where the upper decks and outfitting will be completed.

The launching comes just a few weeks after the joining of the two hull sections. 

With the installation of the upper decks, the new riverboat will come together quickly, and upon completion will be the third new riverboat built for the Mississippi River by American Cruise Lines. 

Construction of the new Queen of the Mississippi is also underway and is slated for delivery in 2017.