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MARGY KELSO
Pictured as the: Jesus Saves (American Tugs Incorporated) Photo by: Sam Draye

Built in 1971, by Kelso Marine Incorporated of Galveston, Texas (hull #204) as the Margy Kelso Big Tow Barge Line Incorporated of Galveston, Texas.

In 1988, the tug was acquired by the McDonough Marine Service Incorporated New Orleans, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Ivis R.

In 1997, she was acquired by American Tugs Incorporated of Harvey, Louisiana. Where the tug was renamed as the Jesus Saves.

Built with a catamaran type hull, she was repowered in 1998 with two, Cummins KT38-M0 diesel engines. With Twin Disc reduction gears at a ratio of 4.484:1. She was a twin screw towboat, rated at 1,700 horsepower. She was rebuilt in 2015 with Twin Disc reduction gears at a ratio 6:1 for a rated 2,000 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: MARGY KELSO
  • USCG Doc. No.: 534836
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDC2987
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 204
  • Ship Builder: Kelso Marine Inc.
  • Year Built: 1971
  • Length: 76
  • Hailing Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA.
  • Hull Depth: 10
  • Hull Breadth: 31
  • Gross Tonnage: 183
  • Net Tonnage: 124
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Margy Kelso, Ivis R., JESUS SAVES
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Big Tow Barge Line Inc., McDonough Marine Service Inc., Dufrene Boats Inc.