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OCEAN TOWER
Photo by: Marc Piche

Built in 1978, by Quality Shipyards Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #144) as the Gulf Falcon for Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas.

In 1985, Zapata Marine Service, Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated, and Jackson Marine Services merged to form Zapata Gulf Marine Service Incorporated of Houston, Texas.

In 1992, Zapata Gulf Marine Incorporated merged with Tidewater Marine Incorporated of New Orleans, Louisiana. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2008, she was acquired by the Dann Ocean Towing Company of Tampa, Florida. Where she was renamed as the Ocean Tower.

Originally powered by two, EMD 12-645-E6 diesel engines. With Reintjes WAV 1850 reduction gears, at a ratio of 5:1. Turning two, 108(in) by 108(in), fixed pitch, four bladed, stainless steel propellers, mounted in kort nozzles. She was a twin screw tug, rated at 3,000 horsepower.

She was later repowered with two, Tier II compliant, MTU M53R 16V4000 diesel engines. With Reintjes WAV 1173 reduction gears, at a ratio of 7.429:1. Turning two, 108(in) by 108(in), stainless steel, fixed pitch, skewed Kaplan propellers mounted in kort nozzles. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,080 horsepower.

Originally, her electrical service is provided by two, 99kW, generator sets. Driven by two, Detroit 8V-71 diesel engines. Her generators where repowered with two, 99kW Marathon generator sets. Driven by two, John Deere 6068 diesel engines. The tug's capacities are 96,000 gallons of fuel, 225 gallons of hydraulic oil, 4,185 gallons of lube oil, and 6,925 gallons of potable Water.

The towing gear consists of a double drum, INTERcon DD200, towing winch. Outfitted with 2,500(ft) of 2(in) of towing wire on the primary drum. And, 2,500(ft) of 2(in) of towing wire on the secondary drum.
(Captain Eric Takakjian, Kyle Stubbs)


  • Vessel Name: OCEAN TOWER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 590099
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7717676
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDE4689
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 144
  • Ship Builder: QUALITY EQUIPMENT, INC.
  • Year Built: 1978
  • Length: 106.7
  • Hailing Port: TAMPA, FL.
  • Hull Depth: 12
  • Hull Breadth: 32
  • Gross Tonnage: 177
  • Net Tonnage: 120
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    GULF FALCON
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Gulf Fleet Marine Inc., ZAPATA GULF MARINE, ZAPATA GULF MARINE OPERATORS LLC, TWENTY GRAND OFFSHORE INC., TUG OCEAN TOWER INC