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OCEAN TOWER (1969)
Pictured as: the Matthew Tibbetts (Reinauer Transportation) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1969, by Main Iron Works Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #223) as the Ocean Tower for the Dann Ocean Towing Company of Tampa, Florida.

In 1976, she was acquired by the Reinauer Transportation Companies of Staten Island, New York. Where the tug was renamed as the Franklin Reinauer.

In 1976, the tug was chartered under the Baleen Towing Company Incorporated of Boston, Massachusetts. Which was a joint venture between the Reinauer Transportation Company and Jake Tibbetts. Who was the son of Boston Fuel and Towing's President at the time. The tug featured a single "B" in a diamond on the stack. In 1983, the single "B" was replaced with the "BFT" in the diamond.

In 1983, the Boston Fuel Transportation Company renamed the tug as the Matthew Tibbetts.

In 1990, the tug was transferred to the Reinauer Transportation Companies of Staten Island, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2007, the tug was repowered, and fitted with an upper wheelhouse. Powered by two, Detroit Diesel, MTU M608v4000 diesel engines. With Lufkin reduction gears, at a ratio of 5,938:1. For a rated 2,000 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 99kW John Deere, 208v generators sets. Driven by two, John Deer Powertech diesel engines. The tug's capacities are 36,510 gallons of fuel oil (at 90%), 751 gallons of lube oil, 1,535 gallons of potable water and 12,540 of wash water.
(Matt Surette, Captain Tom Rooney, Captain Pat Folan)


  • Vessel Name: OCEAN TOWER (1969)
  • USCG Doc. No.: 522343
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8986949
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDB8156
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 223
  • Ship Builder: MAIN IRON WORKS, INC.
  • Year Built: 1969
  • Length: 91.5
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK, NY.
  • Hull Depth: 10.9
  • Hull Breadth: 27.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 109
  • Net Tonnage: 74
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Ocean Tower, Franklin Reinauer
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Dann Ocean Towing Co. Inc., Baleen Towing Co. Inc., Boston Fuel Transportation Co., REINAUER TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES LLC