Home Search Links About Us Updates Login
YTB-827 "CHETEK"
Pictured as: the Nickelena (Basic Marine Incorporated) Photo by: Tim Lucas

Built in 1973, by the Marinette Marine Corporation of Marinette, Wisconsin (hull # YTB 827) as the YTB-827 (Chetek) for the United States Navy.

Her keel was laid down on the 21st of May 1973, and she was launched on the 25th of October, 1973. The tug was delivered on the 8th of December, 1973.

The tug was allocated to the 5th Naval District at Norfolk, Virginia. The date the tug was placed out of service is unknown. On March 1st, 1996 she was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where she was renamed as the Chetek.

In 2000, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers renamed the tug as the Koziol.

In 2005, she was acquired by the the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation of Messina, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2006, the tug was acquired by the Basic Marine Incorporated of Escanaba, Michigan where she was renamed as the Nickelena.

In 2010, she was outfitted with an upper wheelhouse.

Powered by a single, Fairbanks Morse 38D-8-1/8 diesel engine. The tug is single screw, rated at 2,000 horsepower.
(NavSource Online)


  • Vessel Name: YTB-827 "CHETEK"
  • USCG Doc. No.: 1210059
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDE7486
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: YTB 827
  • Ship Builder: MARINETTE MARINE, CORP.
  • Year Built: 1973
  • Length: 109
  • Hailing Port: ESCANABA, MI.
  • Hull Depth: 21
  • Hull Breadth: 14
  • Gross Tonnage: 197
  • Net Tonnage: 134
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    YTB-827 (Chetek), Chetek, Koziol
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    UNITED STATES NAVY, UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.