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ENERGY ALTAIR
Pictured as: the Volunteer (Kirby Corporation) Photo by: Captain Ted

Built in 1982, by the Bollinger Machine Shop of Lockport, Louisiana (hull #158) as the Energy Altair for the Energy Ammonia Transportation Corporation of Tampa, Florida. A subsidiary of the Energy Transportation Corporation of New York, New York.

The tug was originally constructed to be "married" with a 420(ft) by 78(ft) liquefied ammonia barge, the Energy Ammonia. For the transportation of liquefied ammonia along the Gulf Coast.

The barge was under long term time charter to the International Minerals and Chemical Corporation of Tampa, Florida. And was built in 1982, at the Modec Louisiana Shipyard of LaRose, Louisiana.

In 2003, the tug was acquired by the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Volunteer.

In 2006, the tug was outfitted with a JAK-400 coupler system.

In 2011, the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2016, the tug was removed from active service. Where she was "laid up."

In 2018, she was scrapped. Powered by two, twelve cylinder, ALCO diesel engines. With Reintjes reduction gears, at a ratio of 5:1. Turning two, 108(in), stainless steel, fixed pitch propellers, mounted in kort nozzles. For a rated 4,860 horsepower.

Her electrical service was provided by two, 99kW, 230 Volt, three phase, generator sets. Driven by two, 8Y- 71 Detroit Diesel diesel engines. The tug's capacities are 86,584 gallons of fuel, 3,330 gallons of lube oil, 62,282 gallons of ballast, 11,648 gallons of water, and 2,101 gallons of sewage.

The tug's deck equipment consisted of a double drum, towing winch. Driven by a single, 6V-71 Detroit Diesel diesel engine. And, equipped with 2,400(ft) of 2(in) towing on the primary drum. As well as an auxiliary drum.
(Robert Mattsson)


  • Vessel Name: ENERGY ALTAIR
  • USCG Doc. No.: 653464
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8202991
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise, Unrestricted Registry
  • Call Sign: WDB5556
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 158
  • Ship Builder: BOLLINGER MACHINE SHOP
  • Year Built: 1982
  • Length: 113.5
  • Hull Depth: 15.7
  • Hull Breadth: 30
  • Gross Tonnage: 272
  • Net Tonnage: 185
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Energy Altair, VOLUNTEER, VOLUNTEER
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Energy Ammonia Transportation Corp., Energy Transportation Corp., WELLS FARGO BANK NORTHWEST TTEE TRUST AGREEMENT DATED AS OF 9/15/82, K-SEA TRANSPORTATION LLC, K-SEA OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L P, K-SEA OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC