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TACOMA
Pictured as: the Defiant (Knutson Towboat) Photo by: Kyle Stubbs

Built in 1957, by the Weldcraft Steel and Marine Company of Bellingham, Washington as the Heidi H. for the Halvorsen Towing Company Incorporated of Ketchikan, Alaska.

The tug was later acquired by the Washington Tug and Barge Company of Seattle, Washington. Where she was renamed as the Skookum.

In 1979, the Washington Tug and Barge Company was acquired by the Knappton Towboat Company of Astoria, Oregon. Where the tug was renamed as the Tacoma.

In 1988, the Knappton Towboat Company was rebranded as the Brix Maritime Company of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1993, the Brix Maritime Company was acquired by the Foss Maritime Company of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1994, she was acquired by Campbell Towing Incorporated of Wrangell, Alaska. Where the tug was renamed as the Tara C.

In 1999, the tug was acquired by an individual named Robert Johnson of San Jose, California. Where she was renamed as the Defiant.

In 2009, she was acquired by the Knutson Towboat Company of Coos Bay, Oregon. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2012, the tug was phased out of active service. And, was "laid-up" at Coos Bay, Oregon. She was powered by a single, Cooper Bessemer diesel engine. She was a single screw tug, rated at 900 horsepower.
(Kyle Stubbs)


  • Vessel Name: TACOMA
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0273644
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WCZ2137
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Ship Builder: WELDCRAFT STEEL & MAR CO
  • Year Built: 1957
  • Length: 64.5
  • Hull Depth: 10.5
  • Hull Breadth: 19.5
  • Gross Tonnage: 85
  • Net Tonnage: 44
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Heidi H., Skookum, TACOMA, TARA C., DEFIANT
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Halvorsen Towing Co. Inc., Washington Tug and Barge Co., Knappton Towboat Co., Brix Maritime Co., Foss Maritime Co., Campbell Towing Co., ROBERT F. JOHNSON, JOHN L KNUTSON, JOHN L KNUTSON