Marcon brokers sale of veteran tug

APRIL 12, 2013 — Marcon International, Inc., Coupeville, WA, reports that, after six months of charter, Marigny Tug LLC of St. Augustine, FL, (d/b/a Tradewinds Towing) has closed on the purchase of the U.S. flag, twin screw, sheer bow, ocean tug Leslie Foss (ex-Caribe Pioneer, Leslie Foss) which it had chartered from Foss Maritime of Seattle, Washington.

Soon to be renamed Simone, Leslie Foss was delivered from McDermott Shipyard in 1970

The tug sale is the second that Marcon has brokered to the buyer, which is in the process of renaming the tug Simone, after the oldest daughter of one of its principals.

The 120 ft x 31 ft x 14.9 ft depth / 13.5 ft draft tug was built in 1970 at McDermott Shipyard in Amelia, Louisiana and underwent a life extension program in 2000. The ABS load-lined tug is powered by a pair of EMD 12-645E2s developing a total of 3,000 BHP and turning 5-bladed 103 in x 82 in Coolidge props through Lufkin RHS 2524 4.128:1 gears. The tug’s bollard pull is 37.5 tons and free running speed about 12 knots.

Two 99 kW main and one 75 kW emergency gensets are all powered by John Deere 6068s.

With a 96,000 gallon fuel capacity, the tug has long-legs which helps when making tandem tows with its Markey TDSD-32 double drum tow winch, tow pins and stern roller. She also carries a hydraulic combination windlass / bow winch with Plasma line for barge handling. To assist in salvage work the tug carries a welding machine, hydraulic deck crane, Orville Hook for barge retrieval, 3″ portable salvage pump and a full complement of towing shackles, wire bridles, portable running lights and hawsers. “Leslie Foss” has quarters for a crew of nine in seven cabins.

The new owners have employed the tug on various towing projects in the U.S. Gulf. Marcon acted as sole broker and has been involved in about a dozen transactions with the Seller.