Pictured as: the Isabelle (Tradewinds Towing Company) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1978, by Main Iron Works Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #335) as the Jabbar for the McAllister Brothers Towing Company Incorporated of New York, New York.

The name Jabbar means "Powerful" in Arabic. The tug was designed by Engineering staff at the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. Headed by Donald C. Hankin. With design criteria for the tug developed by Capt. E.C. Brown and Michael Stegenga of ARAMCO. Her propulsion systems and the Horton kort nozzles were designed by Clancy Horton of Wilton, Connecticut.

The tug was owned and operated by International Tug Services LLP. of Saudi Arabia. Which was a joint venture between the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. And, the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) of Saudi Arabia that operated in the port of Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia.

In 2001, the tug was acquired by Awal Marine Services Incorporated of Manama, Bahrain. Where the tug retained her name and worked in the Arabian Gulf; Bombay High, India and offshore Croatia.

In 2013, she was acquired by the Tradewinds Towing Company of Saint Augustine, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Isabelle. Named after Isabelle Smith, the youngest daughter of the the Tradewinds Towing Company's owner and operator Captain Dominique Smith.

The tug operated under a Vanuatu registry initially. Performing coastwise, and ocean tows. Including project cargoes, marine salvage, rescue towage, as well as dredging and construction support within the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Central and South America. In 2023, the tug was reflagged under the United States of America.

Powered by two, EMD 16-645E7B diesel engines. With Falk 3040 reduction gears at a ratio 5:1. Turning two, fixed pitch, propellers, mounted in kort nozzles with flanking rudders. The tug is also outfitted with a 250 horsepower, Thrust Master bow thruster. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 5,750 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by three, 95kW generator sets, driven by three GM 871 diesel engines. The tug was originally constructed with capacities for 3,408 gallons of foam, and 2,090 gallons of dispersant. In 2023, that tankage was redesignated for other uses. The tug's revised capacities are 120,000 gallons of fuel, 3,528 gallons of lube oil, 707 gallons of hydraulic oil, and 10,500 gallons of fresh water. She is also outfitted with a FCI Aquamiser 1200GPD water maker.

Her external firefighting is provided by a 5,000 Gallon Per Minute fire pump. Driven by a GM16V71 diesel engine, feeding a water/foam monitor.

The towing equipment consists of a double drum, Smatco 66DAW-200 towing winch. Outfitted with 2,400(ft) of 2.25(in) towing wire on the primary drum. And 2,400(ft) of 2.25(in) towing wire on the secondary drum. As well as, a ten ton Tugger winch, an open stern with a 10(ft) by 2(ft) 100 metric ton stern roller, and a set of 200 ton hydraulic "shark jaws." With an angular 200 ton Smith Berger hydraulic tow pins. In 2007, the tug was outfitted with two, five ton hydraulic winches mounted on the bow.

The tug's original bow fender system was conceived by ARAMCO and developed by Uniroyal and the McAllister Brothers Towing Company specifically for the vessel.

The fendering is extruded, low friction rubber 16(in) by 16(in) by 4(ft) long. Molded around a steel plate with stainless steel bolts for fitting on the bow. This method was designed so bow fenders can be changed by the crew, and would not require shipyard, or crane service. In 2023, her original fendering was removed and replaced.

(Bob Beegle, Captain Brian Fournier, Captain Dominique Smith, Robert Mattsson)

Photo by: Bob Mattsson

Photo by: Bob Mattsson

Photo by: Bob Mattsson

Photo by: Bob Mattsson

Pictured as: the Isabelle (Tradewinds Towing Company) Photo by: Captain Brian Fournier

Pictured as: the Isabelle (Tradewinds Towing Company) Photo by: J.J. Fernandez

Pictured as: the Isabelle (Tradewinds Towing Company) Photo by: J.J. Fernandez