The S/V ADAMS II is a 65-foot hydrographic survey vessel for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE), Norfolk District. This is the first of two vessels for the USACE designed and built by Swiftships Inc. in Morgan City, Louisiana. The ADAMS II is an all aluminum mono hull vessel with a raised pilothouse, 65 feet LOA with a maximum beam of 18 feet and a depth of 9 feet. Twin diesel engines drive fixed propellers that give it a maximum full load speed of 22 knots.

The vessel is fitted with a WAGNER NB2 560-45-EB2 twin rudder steering system consisting of two N80-190 cylinders, M1020 full follow-up control valve, TA8 reservoir tanks, and 3 HP electric motor driven pump sets. A model B4 helm pump provides wheel steering on both power and manual back-up. Jog lever control and autopilot interface is provided by the M1020 Accumotor. Two pump sets provide a rudder speed of 5 seconds hard over. A 150 rudder angle indicator system is also fitted.