Re: Tug Marin

From: Franz
Location: Duluth
email: ZenithTugboat at aol
Remote Name: 152.163.101.14
Date: 07.31.06
Time: 01:15:08 AM

Comments

Ex-Navy YTB, built on the Lakes by Christy. One of two identical boats (Obvious visual differences between it and the standard YTB's of the 60's). Basically a failure (experimental design), the two (752,753) saw little service and have just kicked around in recent years, out of service. I cannot recall from memory what became of the other one. One was given to the Coast Guard and they did little with it. This one was given to a maritime school (Piney Point seems to ring a bell?) but I don't think it was used. It was sold at auction and bought by McAllister who has been converting many of the YTB's into tractor tugs up and down the East Coast. But this one (again, just a failed design) was found to be useless in that regard and set aside in the small boat harbor in Newport News. It's been for sale for years and was one of the next boats to be taken out and sunk on the artificial reefs. But Basic Marine bought it, cut it down for the canal transit, got it running and "drove her home" to Eskie last month (via the barge canal). It has an Alco 251 with a gearbox if I remember correctly. All this is from memory (which is failing me I think, getting old)... if anyone wants precise info, let me know later and I can dig out our file on her. I should have photos of her in the old gallery I posted this winter of the SNOHOMISH trip into the Lakes. But I can re-post these MARIN shots if needed. She is featured in the next book I am writing, TUGBOATS OF THE EAST COAST, due out next spring. Hope that helps a bit. FV