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NANTICOKE
Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 2004, by Thoma-Sea Boat Builders Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #125) as the Nanticoke for the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

However, construction was initially begun for Odyssea Vessels Incorporated of Berwick, Louisiana. When the deal unraveled. The Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland acquired the unfinished tug from Thoma-Sea Boat Builders.

Upon her completion, she was the second Patapsco class tug designed by Frank Basile of Entech and Associates of Houma, Louisiana. And constructed by Thoma-Sea Boat Builders for the Vane Brothers Company.

Named for the Nanticoke River, which is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay on the Delmarva Peninsula.

It rises in southern Kent County, Delaware, flows through Sussex County, Delaware, and forms the boundary between Dorchester County, Maryland and Wicomico County, Maryland. The river course proceeds southwest and empties into the Chesapeake Bay at Nanticoke, Maryland. The river is 64.3 miles long.

In 2020, the tug was phased out of active service, and was "laid up" at Baltimore, Maryland.

In 2023, she was placed back into active service.

Powered by two, Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines. With Reintjes WAF-872 reduction gears. Turning two, 97(in), fixed pitch, propellers. Mounted in CNF, Type 37, kort nozzles. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,200 horsepower.

The tug's electrical service is provided by two, 72kW, Caterpillar 3054T generator sets. Her capacities are 89,910 gallons of fuel oil, and 8,816 of potable water.

Her towing gear consists of an INTERcon, double drum, towing winch. Driven by a dedicated John Deere diesel engine.


  • Vessel Name: NANTICOKE
  • USCG Doc. No.: 1165463
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8987163
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDC4353
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 125
  • Ship Builder: THOMA-SEA BOAT BUILDERS INC
  • Year Built: 2004
  • Length: 94.8
  • Hailing Port: BALTIMORE, MD.
  • Hull Depth: 14.3
  • Hull Breadth: 34
  • Gross Tonnage: 98
  • Net Tonnage: 67
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Nanticoke
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    THOMA-SEA BOAT BUILDERS INC, VANE LINE BUNKERING INC