Tugs of the 2026 Tugboat Roundup

8th Sea

The 8th Sea was built at the American Electric Welding Company in Fells Point, at the foot of Carolina St, in Baltimore Maryland in 1953 for the United States Army. The 8th Sea’s original use was as a harbor tug in the Charleston, South Carolina Harbor. Compared to seagoing tugs, harbor tugboats are generally smaller and the width-to-length ratio is often higher, due to the need for a lower draft.

In the 70’s the 8th Sea found work more suited to her name. She worked on the St. Lawrence Seaway (leading to the Great Lakes, a.k.a the 8th Sea). She was used to scan the entrance to locks to determine where to dredge. She worked along side the Tug 4th Coast.

In the 1990’s, the St. Lawrence Seaway refitted the 4th Coast and auctioned off the 8th Sea. She found her first, and only, private owner, Bill Curry, then owner of the Lake Towing and Salvage in Plattsburgh, NY. The 8th Sea worked in towing and salvage until 2000.

Since 2000, the 8th Sea has served the purpose of summer home, cruise ship, evening gathering spot, meeting location, hide and seek base, and rescue boat. She is a staple in Waterford and Troy. Her captain spends his summers with the 8th Sea and his winters in Grand Cayman Islands.

Alyssa Brook

Alyssa Brooke is a pusher-style tug built in 2016 by St. Johns Boat Builders in Panama City, FL. Designed for versatility, the Alyssa Brooke is transportable over highways, allowing it to be easily relocated to different job sites. This tug is a familiar sight on both the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, where it is frequently engaged in various work projects. She is owned and operated by C.D. Perry.

Benjamin Elliot

Originally built in 1960, the Benjamin Elliot is a 48-foot working tug with a 15-foot beam that has served in a variety of roles throughout its long career, including service with the Monahan Towing Company. Today, the vessel operates under the New York State Marine Highway, proudly retaining its original name. Powered by two Detroit Diesel 6-110 diesel engines producing a combined 640 horsepower, the Benjamin Elliot is the smallest tug in the New York State Marine Highway fleet. Homeported in Troy, New York, it continues to play an important role in supporting the state's maritime operations while preserving a piece of New York's working waterfront history.

Edna A (Tentative)

Built in 1980 by the Louis G. Ortis Boat Company of Krotz Springs, Louisiana (Hull No. 109), the Edna A. has enjoyed a long and varied career serving multiple owners across the Gulf Coast before finding its home in New York. Originally launched as the Clarence G. for G. & B. Marine Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana, the tug was renamed Basin Eagle after its acquisition by Double Eagle Marine Incorporated in 1998. In 2001, the vessel joined the Delta Towing Company, where it became the Delta Parrot, a name it retained when acquired by Crosby Marine Transportation in 2011. The following year, General Electric Company of Albany, New York, purchased the tug, renamed it HR Hawk, and rebuilt it with a retractable pilothouse to better suit operations on the Hudson River. In 2016, the vessel was acquired by the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company of Troy, New York, where it received its current name, Edna A.

Today, the Edna A. is a 52.7-foot steel twin-screw towing vessel homeported in Troy, New York. Powered by two GM 12V71 diesel engines producing a combined 900 horsepower, the tug drives two 60-inch stainless steel fixed-pitch propellers through MG-514 reduction gears with a 6:1 ratio. With a beam of 22.1 feet, a depth of 8.3 feet, and a gross tonnage of 83, the Edna A. continues to provide dependable towing service as part of the New York State Marine Highway fleet, carrying forward more than four decades of maritime history.

Frederick Skene (Tentative)

The Frederick Skene is a 45-foot by 15-foot towing vessel operated on New York's inland waterways. Measuring approximately 14 meters in length with a 5-meter beam, the tug's primary mission is pushing barges and removing navigational hazards to help ensure the safe and efficient movement of vessels throughout upstate New York. The Frederick Skene also plays an important role in supporting operations at the historic Troy Lock and Dam, a 109-year-old structure completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1915. Homeported in Troy, New York, the vessel serves as a valuable asset in maintaining navigation and infrastructure along the state's waterways. The Frederick Skene is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

J. Arnold Witte (Tentative)

Built in 2021 by DonJon Shipbuilding and Repair Company of Erie, Pennsylvania (Hull No. 145), the J. Arnold Witte was constructed for DonJon Marine Company of Hillside, New Jersey, where it continues to serve as a modern, high-performance towing vessel. Homeported in Newark, New Jersey, the steel tug measures 78 feet in length with a 26-foot beam and a depth of 11.5 feet. In recognition of its exceptional design and capabilities, the J. Arnold Witte was named 2022 Tugboat Roundup Tug of the Year.

The J. Arnold Witte is powered by three Mitsubishi S6R2-Y3MPTAW diesel engines producing a combined 2,400 horsepower. Through ZF 3350 reduction gears with a 4.4:1 ratio, the engines drive three 66-inch, four-bladed stainless steel propellers, making the vessel a powerful triple-screw towboat capable of handling demanding towing assignments. Electrical power is supplied by two Kohler 65EOZJC generators driven by John Deere 4045TFM85 engines. Equipped with substantial fuel, ballast, and freshwater capacities, as well as heavy-duty towing equipment including two 40-ton Nabrico bow winches and a Nabrico stern capstan, the J. Arnold Witte is designed to perform a wide range of towing and marine construction support operations along the East Coast.

Lucy H 

Built in 1980 by Eymard & Sons Shipyard of Harvey, Louisiana (Hull No. 14), the Lucy H. has served a wide range of owners and industries throughout its distinguished career. Originally launched as the Gary J. Eymard for the Louis Eymard Towing Company of Marrero, Louisiana, the tug was later renamed Christopher D. after joining Warrior River Towing Company in 1986. The following year, it became the Eagle under Scott Paper Company, a name it retained through its acquisition by Kimberly-Clark Corporation in 1996 and Cooper Marine and Timberlands Corporation in 1999. In 2000, the vessel joined Double Eagle Marine of New Iberia, Louisiana, where it was renamed Miss Tammy, before being renamed Mr. Lane in 2004. Crosby Marine Transportation acquired the tug in 2010, retaining the name Mr. Lane. In 2013, General Electric Company of Albany, New York, purchased the vessel, renamed it HR Beaver, and rebuilt it with a retractable pilothouse to better suit operations on the Hudson River. Three years later, the tug was acquired by the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company of Troy, New York, where it received its current name, Lucy H.

Today, the Lucy H. is a 52.3-foot steel twin-screw towing vessel homeported in Troy, New York. With a 22-foot beam, a depth of 9.6 feet, and a gross tonnage of 88, the tug is powered by twin engines producing a combined 800 horsepower. As part of the New York State Marine Highway fleet, the Lucy H. continues to support commercial and infrastructure operations on New York's waterways while carrying forward a rich maritime history spanning more than four decades.

Margot

Built in 1958 by Jakobson Shipyard Incorporated of Oyster Bay, New York (Hull No. 377), the Margot has spent more than six decades working on New York's waterways under several distinguished owners. Originally launched as the Hustler II for the Oil Transfer Corporation of New York City, the tug was acquired by Moran Towing Company in 1962 and renamed Margot Moran. In 1990, she joined Metropolitan Petroleum Company of Brooklyn as Jolene Rose, before being purchased by Kosnac Floating Derrick Corporation of Staten Island in 1993 and renamed Margot. In 2002, the vessel became part of the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company fleet in Troy, New York, where she has proudly retained the name Margot.

Today, the Margot is an 84.8-foot steel single-screw towing vessel homeported in Troy, New York. With a 24-foot beam, a depth of 9.6 feet, and a gross tonnage of 141, she is powered by a single Fairbanks Morse opposed-piston diesel engine producing 1,440 horsepower through a Falk reduction gear with a 2.516:1 ratio. Electrical power is provided by a combination of DC and AC auxiliary generators, and the vessel carries substantial fuel and freshwater capacities to support extended operations. As one of the largest and most powerful tugs in the New York State Marine Highway fleet, the Margot continues to play an essential role in supporting commercial navigation and marine operations on New York's inland waterways.

Sarah D

Built in 1975 by Putnam Shipbuilding of Palatka, Florida (Hull No. 21), the Sarah D. has a distinguished history serving some of the East Coast's most prominent towing companies. The tug was originally launched as the Lauren S. Coppedge for Wayland T. Coppedge Jr. and the White Stack Towing Company of Jacksonville, Florida, before being renamed Helen D. Coppedge later in its service with the company. In 1978, White Stack Towing became part of Turecamo Coastal and Harbor Towing Corporation of New York, where the tug continued operating under the same name. When Moran Towing Corporation acquired Turecamo in 1998, the vessel again retained its name while continuing its long career in commercial towing. In 2016, the tug was acquired by the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Company of Troy, New York, and renamed Sarah D.

Today, the Sarah D. is an 89.8-foot steel twin-screw towing vessel with a beam of 28.9 feet, a depth of 12.1 feet, and a gross tonnage of 162. Rated at 2,000 horsepower, the tug provides the power and reliability needed for demanding towing operations on New York's waterways. As one of the largest vessels in the New York State Marine Highway fleet, the Sarah D. continues a legacy of more than 50 years of service while supporting commercial navigation and marine transportation throughout the region.

Shoofly Pie

Tugboat Shoofly Pie was designed to be a Distribution Box (L Type) Boat for the US Army, meant to work on harbor mines in the early years of WWII. She laid submarine detection cables in Maine, then spent the rest of the war working as a tugboat. After the war she continued as a tug in Texas, spent a few years working as a fireboat, then as a tug again in the Caribbean and on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. Her current home port is Brooklyn.

Spirit of Albany

The Spirit of Albany is owned by the Albany Port District Commission and based and operated in the Port of Albany, NY. It is primarily used for inspections of the Port District's waterfront facilities and as a work platform for wharf repairs. Prior to the Albany Port District Commission's acquisition it served the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District as the survey boat "Sentry" in New York Harbor for over thirty years. Built by Pasch Marine in 1966 the boat measures 64' LOA, and is powered by 2 12V71 Detroit Diesel engines for propulsion and a 453 Detroit Diesel engine for electrical power.

Wendy B (tentative)

Built in 1940 by Russel Brothers Ltd. of Owen Sound, Ontario (Hull No. 359), the Wendy B. was originally intended for the C.S. Boone Dredging Company of Toronto, the steam-powered tug was requisitioned by the Royal Canadian Navy upon completion during World War II. Following the war, she was returned to C.S. Boone in 1945 and renamed Lynn B. Her eventful career included multiple sinkings and recoveries—first in 1951 on Lac Saint-Louis in Quebec, where she remained on the bottom for a decade before being raised in 1961, renamed Wendy B., and returned to service. Shortly thereafter, she sank again in Kingston, Ontario, and in 1964, while being prepared for diesel conversion following her acquisition by Arcade Dredging Ltd., a failed lift caused the tug to sink for a third time. After yet another recovery, the vessel remained laid up until 1986, when she was purchased by John Gordon Bennett of Toronto, fully restored, converted from steam to diesel power, and returned to service as a recreational tug. During this period, she also served as a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel. In 2005, the Wendy B. was sold to a private owner in Washington, D.C., and relocated to the U.S. East Coast. She was later acquired by a New York owner and is now based in Albany, New York.

Today, the Wendy B. is a 65-foot single-screw tugboat powered by a Detroit Diesel 6-71 engine. With a beam of 17 feet 4 inches and a depth of 9 feet 6 inches, she stands as a rare surviving example of a World War II-era tugboat whose extraordinary history of naval service, repeated salvages, and careful restoration has preserved an important piece of North American maritime heritage.

Minis

Aurora

No Hurry

Atlantic Hunter VI

Tuggin' Teeth

Tug Tanic

Jolly Bobber

Henry

Tucker the Tugboat

Pleasure tugs:

Lady Gabrielle

Don't Panic

Tracy's Landing