Marcon Sells 3,900BHP Tug Overseas

Marcon International, Inc. of Coupeville, Washington announced the sale of the 3,900BHP, U.S. flag twin screw tug Maria Brusco (ex-Ocean Service) from a U.S. owner to private overseas buyers for transfer to registry under foreign flag.

The 127’ x 32’ x 14’ depth tug was originally built in 1967 by Burton Shipyard Inc. in Port Arthur, Texas as Hull 404 for International Bulk Transport of Wilmington, Delaware and operated for Sonat Marine of Philadelphia towing petroleum barges coastwise. The tug underwent a major reconstruction in 1987 under her previous ownership.

The tug’s twin EMD16-645E2’s develop a total of 3,900BHP at 900RPM through Falk LST 20000 2.48:1 reduction gears to 80” x 67” fixed pitch, stainless steel propellers in kort nozzles. The ABS Loadlined tug has a fuel capacity of 92,000 gallons, which gives her a good range for Caribbean, Atlantic and other long haul tows. Towing gear consists of a Smatco 62DADT-200, 250,000lb. line pull single drum winch with a capacity for 2,600’ x 2.25” towing wire plus 690’ of 2.25” wire on a pendant drum and hydraulic tow pins.

Maria Brusco had been working in the U.S. Gulf, and Caribbean for the past few years, but spent much of her life towing plus performing numerous rescues in heavy weather on the Pacific Coasts of the United States, Hawaii and Canada for both Brusco and Sause Bros. Ocean Towing. The tug’s next venture, under her new ownership, will reportedly be in support of foreign oil and gas market in South America.

Marcon, who represented the sellers in this transaction, said this is the fourth tug it has sold this year and the 301st tug sold or chartered over the last 33 years.