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GULF EXPLORER
Pictured as: the Patrice McAllister (McAllister Towing) Photo by: Nate Lopez

Built in 1967, by the Southern Shipbuilding Company of Slidell, Louisiana (hull #72) as the Gulf Explorer for Gulf Mississippi Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas.

In 1978, Gulf Mississippi Marine Incorporated became Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1985, Zapata Marine Service, Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated, and Jackson Marine Services merged to form Zapata Gulf Marine Service Incorporated of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1985, the tug was acquired by the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. Where she was renamed Patrice McAllister.

In 1989, she was chartered out. Where she was renamed as the Columbia.

In 1998, tug was returned to the McAllister Towing and Transportation of New York, New York. However, she was removed from service. And, was "laid up" at Mariner's Harbor in Staten Island, New York.

In 2008, she was towed to Providence, Rhode Island to be cut apart for scrap. However, while being cut apart, a welder's torch ignited a fire that engulfed the entire tug. What remained of the tug's interior was lost. She was a twin screw tug, rated at 3,600 horsepower.
(Captain Eric Takakjian, Kyle Stubbs, Paul Strubeck, Nate Lopez)


  • Vessel Name: GULF EXPLORER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 219162
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 6711613
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WK5255
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 72
  • Ship Builder: SOUTHERN SHIPBUILDING
  • Year Built: 1967
  • Length: 93.9
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK, NY.
  • Hull Depth: 12
  • Hull Breadth: 24
  • Gross Tonnage: 196
  • Net Tonnage: 133
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Gulf Explorer, Columbia, Patrice McAllister, PATRICE McALLISTER
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Gulf Mississippi Marine Inc., Gulf Fleet Marine Inc., Zapata Gulf Marine Inc., GULF FLEET SUPPLY VESSELS LLC, MCALLISTER BROTHERS INC, MCALLISTER TOWING AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY INC, MC ALLISTER TOWING OF VA INC