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TAURUS
Pictured as: the Joker (Hays Tug and Launch Company) Photo by: Randall Farhy

Built in 1979, by Modern Marine Power Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #27) as the Taurus the for South Bay Fuel Transportation Company of Shirley, New York.

In 1989, the tug was acquired by the Eklof Marine Corporation of Staten Island, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1993, the Eklof Marine Corporation was acquired by the K-Sea Transportation Partnership of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where she retained her name.

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

In 2016, she was phased out of service. And, was "laid up" at the Kirby Corporation's yard in Staten Island, New York.

In 2017, the tug was acquired by the Hays Tug and Launch Company of Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Where she was renamed as the Joker.

Powered by two, sixteen cylinder, GM diesel engines. Turning two, cast steel, fixed pitch propellers. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 1,860 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 50kW generator sets. The tug's capacities are 43,916 gallons of fuel, 800 gallons of lube oil, 5,200 gallons of ballast, 2,100 gallons of potable water, and 4,200 gallons of wash water.
(Robert Mattsson, Captain Larry Strohm)


  • Vessel Name: TAURUS
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0602379
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 08969317
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDB5562
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 27
  • Ship Builder: MODERN MARINE POWER INC.
  • Year Built: 1979
  • Length: 78.5
  • Hailing Port: PHILADELPHIA, PA.
  • Hull Depth: 11.7
  • Hull Breadth: 25
  • Gross Tonnage: 98
  • Net Tonnage: 66
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    TAURUS
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    South Bay Fuel Transportation Co., EW HOLDINGS, CORP., K-SEA TRANSPORTATION LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, RABBIT RUN TOWING COMPANY