A unique dinner cruise vessel, NINA'S DANDY, was delivered to Dandy Cruises, Alexandria, Virginia, for service on the Potomac River in the Washington, DC area. The vessel was designed by DeJONG & LEBET, INC., Naval Architects, Jacksonville, Florida. She was built by Freeport Shipbuilding, Freeport, Florida.

The 135'x40' vessel's low profile allows her to access the upper parts of the river, past several low bridges. NINA'S DANDY has an air draft of only 16'-6''. She  is USCG Certified under Subchapter K for 300 passengers and crew, and measures less than 100 gross tons.

Many of the design features for this vessel are the direct result of the low bridge clearance requirement. The vessel's large galley and restrooms are located in the hull. The vessel is very wide, in order to create enough dining area on the Main Deck, which is the only deck where a dining room could be located. This required a unique hull design by DeJONG & LEBET, INC. in order to get the vessel deep enough in the water to clear the bridges.

The Main Deck of the vessel features the dining room, office space, and handicap restrooms. The Pilothouse is stepped above the Main Deck, and features a small private room below it, half in the hull, and half above the deck. The Second Deck is an open observation deck to view the many sights on the DC waterfront. The Main Deck features large windows to enjoy the views from the comfort of the fully air-conditioned dining room.

NINA'S DANDY is powered by a pair of Cummins NTA-855 diesel engines, 350 hp @ 1800 rpm, with Twin Disc MG-5111 gears, driving a pair of Rice five-bladed propellers. Electrical power is provided by a pair of Cummins 6BTA generators @ 95 kW. A 16'' American Bow Thruster, 80 hp, is electrically powered off a third genset. Controls and motors for the bowthruster were furnished by SCR Engineering. The vessel carries 35 tons of air-conditioning by Marine Air.

The vessel carries 6000 gallons of water, 5000 gallons of fuel, and 5000 gallons of sewage.

Major Suppliers for the vessel include:

• Engines / Generator: Cummins - Alabama
  

• Switchboard: Quality Power Products
  

• Engine Controls: MMC - Mathers
  

• Steering: Skipper Hydraulics
  

• Windlass: Diamond Sea - Glaze
  

• Doors: Henges
  

• Paint: Jotun