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NIOLO
Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1982, by Swiftships Incorporated of Morgan City, Louisiana (hull #12) as the Hokulele for the Smith Maritime Company of Honolulu, Hawaii. Which was a part of the Hawaiian Interisland Towing Company of Honolulu, Hawaii.

In 2004, the Smith Maritime Company renamed the tug as the Niolo.

In 2007, the Smith Maritime Company was acquired by the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where the tug retained her name.

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

In 2017, she was phased out active service. And, was "laid up" at the Kirby Corporation's facility at Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. She was a twin screw tug, rated at 3,900 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: NIOLO
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0653612
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDD9310
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 12
  • Ship Builder: SWIFTSHIPS, INC.
  • Year Built: 1982
  • Length: 107.8
  • Hull Depth: 14.2
  • Hull Breadth: 34
  • Gross Tonnage: 99
  • Net Tonnage: 67
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    HOKULELE, NIOLO
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    HAWAIIAN INTER ISLAND TOWING INC, SMITH MARITIME LLC, SMITH MARITIME LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE HAWAII LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE HAWAII LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE HAWAII LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE HAWAII LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE HAWAII LLC