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BILL DYER
Pictured as: the Crown Charger (Crown Transport) Photo by: Capt. Billy Smith

Built in 1951, by Avondale Marine Ways of New Orleans, Louisiana (hull #358) as the Frank W. Banta for Plaquemine Towing Corporation of Sunshine, Louisiana.

In 1955, the tug was acquired by the Moran Inland Towing Corporation of Mount Vernon, Indiana. Where she was renamed as the David E. Moran.

In 1962, she was acquired by the National Marine Service of St. Louis, Missouri. Where she was renamed as the Bill Dyer.

In 1962, the tug was acquired by Ingert Incorporated where she retained her name.

In 1964, the tug was acquired by the Houghland Marine Services of New Orleans, Louisiana. Where she the tug retained her name.

In 1982, she was acquired by the Tennessee River Towing Corporation of Memphis, Tennessee. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1988, the tug was acquired by Tri River Marine Incorporated of Monessen, Pennsylvania. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2005, she was acquired by New Johnsonville Marine Service Incorporated of New Johnsonville, Tennessee. Where the tug was renamed as the Vikki Inman.

In 2008, the tug was acquired by the Crown Transport Company of Jackson, Tennessee. Where she was renamed as the Crown Charger.

Powered by two, GM 12-645E2 diesel engines. With Falk reduction gears, at a ratio of 3:1. She is a square bow, twin screw, push boat. Rated 3,000 horsepower.
(Carel Boone, Dan Owen, Capt. Billy Smith)


  • Vessel Name: BILL DYER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 26249200
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WD7732
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 358
  • Ship Builder: AVONDALE MARINE WAYS INC
  • Year Built: 1951
  • Length: 94.1
  • Hailing Port: JACKSON, TN.
  • Hull Depth: 9.9
  • Hull Breadth: 26
  • Gross Tonnage: 188
  • Net Tonnage: 73
  • Owner:
    CROWN TRANSPORT COMPANY LLC
    3 QUINWOOD DR
    JACKSON, TN 38305
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Frank W. Banta, David E. Moran, BILL DYER, VIKKI INMAN
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Plaquemine Towing Corp., Moran Inland Waterways Co., National Marine Service, Inert Inc., River Towing Inc. (Houghland Towing Co.), Tennessee River Towing Corp., TRI-RIVER MARINE INC, NEW JOHNSONVILLE MARINE SERVICE INC, CROWN TRANSPORT COMPANY LLC