Libby Black – Katie G. McAllister
1966-Present
Tugboat
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1966
Builder: Gulfport Shipbuilding Corp., Port Arthur, TX
Hull #671
Registry: US 505022
IMO #7046089
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: 1966
Commissioned: July 6, 1966
Paired Barges:
- Barbara Vaught [1966-2003]
Construction
Katie G. McAllister was constructed in 1966 as the tugboat Libby Black by Gulfport Shipbuilding of Port Arthur, TX. She was originally constructed for Gulfcoast Transit Co., a subsidiary of the Tampa Electric Co. Libby Black was delivered to her owners in late July 1966, being paired with the barge Barbara Vaught. The pair began their typical trade of hauling coal from Gulf ports for delivery to power plants in the Tampa region.
General Stats
Length Overall [Tug]: 124′
Breadth: 31’06”
Depth: 19′
Draft: 13’08”
Vessel Type: Tugboat
Propellers: 2
Rudders: 2
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: General Motors Electro-Motive Division, Chicago, IL
Engine Model: 12-645-E5
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 4300 BHP
History
Lineage
Libby Black – 1966-2003
Owner: Gulfcoast Transit Co., Tampa, FL [Tampa Electric]
Operator: Gulfcoast Transit
Flag: United States
Home Port: Tampa, FL
Katie G. McAllister – 2003-2016
Owner: McAllister Towing and Transportation Co., New York, NY
Operator: McAllister Towing and Transportation
Flag: United States
Home Port: New York, NY
Katie G. McAllister – 2016-Present
Owner: Port City Marine Services, Muskegon, MI [Sand Products Corp.]
Operator: Port City Marine Services
Flag: United States
Home Port: New York, NY
Her Story
Katie G. McAllister was constructed in 1966 by Gulfport Shipbuilding Corp. of Gulfport, Texas, as Hull #671. She is 124’ long, 31’06’’ wide, and 13’08’’ deep, and powered by a pair of GM EMD 12-645-E5 diesel engines, producing 4300 BHP. She was built as the Libby Black for Gulfcoast Transit, a subsidiary of Tampa Electric Co. She was delivered to her new owners July 1966, and paired with the barge Barbara Vaught. The pair were tasked with delivering coal from ports near the mouth of the Mississippi River to Tampa Electric’s power plants at Tampa, Florida.
Libby Black was sold to McAllister Towing & Transportation of New York, New York, in 2003. She was renamed Katie G. McAllister, and operated as a harbor tug at New York Harbor.
In 2016, Port City Marine Services of Muskegon, Michigan, a subsidiary of Sand Products Corporation, purchased the Katie G. and her sister Colleen McAllister. The two tugs set off from layup at Staten Island in December, passing through the St. Lawrence Seaway later in the month. The tow arrived at Muskegon on Christmas Eve, and the tugs were laid up at the Mart Dock. Katie G. McAllister remains in layup at Muskegon.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on February 21, 2021
Gallery
Sources
Pennock, Isaac. “Katie G. McAllister”. Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats, N.d. Accessed 28 December 2020. https://gltugs.wordpress.com/katie-g-mcallister/
Pennock, Isaac. “Katie G. McAllister”. Tugboat Information, N.d. Accessed 28 December 2020. http://tugboatinformation.com/tug.cfm?id=9687
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