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PRENTISS BROWN
Photo by: Sam Draye

Built in 1967, by Gulfport Shipbuilding Corporation of Gulfport, Texas (hull #693) as the Betty Culbreath for the Gulfcoast Transit Company of Tampa, Florida. A subsidiary of the Tampa Electric Company of Tampa, Florida.

In 2002, the Gulfcoast Transit Company became the TECO Ocean Shipping Company of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2003, the tug was acquired by the McAllister Towing and Transportation Company of New York, New York. Where she was renamed the Michaela McAllister.

In 2008, she was acquired by the Port City Tug Company of Grosse Point, Michigan. Where she was renamed as the Prentiss Brown.

In 2009, the tug was modified at Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. For deep notch pushing and outfitted with a Bludworth coupler system. Where she was mated with the dry cargo barge St. Mary's Conquest.

Powered by two, twelve cylinder, EMD 12-645-E5 diesel engines. With Falk reduction gears, at a ratio of 4.27:1. Turning two, cast steel, fixed pitch, propellers. For a rated 4,300 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 125kW generator sets. The tug's capacities are 70,378 gallons of fuel oil, 1,440 gallons of lube oil, and 2,467 gallons of potable water.

The towing gear consists of a Markey TYS 36 single drum towing winch equipped with 2,200(ft)of 2.25(in)towing wire. The winch can be run at two speeds. At high speed, which is rated at 25,000(lbs) or 100(ft) per minute or at low speed, which is rated at 50,000(lbs) or 5(ft) per minute.


  • Vessel Name: PRENTISS BROWN
  • USCG Doc. No.: 511297
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7035547
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDE6848
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 693
  • Ship Builder: GULFPORT SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION
  • Year Built: 1967
  • Length: 113.3
  • Hailing Port: MUSKEGON, MI.
  • Hull Depth: 18.8
  • Hull Breadth: 31.5
  • Gross Tonnage: 197
  • Net Tonnage: 133
  • Owner:
    PORT CITY TUG INC
    63 KERCHEVAL STE 200
    GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI 48236
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Betty Culbreath, Michaela McAllister
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Gulf Coast Transit Co., TECO OCEAN SHIPPING INC, MCALLISTER TOWING AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY INC.