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NOHAB EXPRESS
Pictured as: the Big Jake (Safer Tugs Company) Photo by: Paul Strubeck

Built in 1972, by Halter Marine Services Incorporated of Lockport, Louisiana (hull #366) as the Nohab Express for Spainer Marine Incorporated of Harvey, Louisiana.

The tug was later acquired by East Coast Tender Services Incorporated of Sea Bright, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Capt. Jared.

In 1988, she was acquired by the Reinauer Transportation Companies of Staten Island, New York. Where the tug was renamed as the Juliet Reinauer. And assigned to operations in Boston, Massachusetts under the Boston Towing and Transportation Company of East Boston, Massachusetts (a subsidiary of the Reinauer Transportation Companies of Staten Island, New York.)

In 1989, the Boston Towing and Transportation Company was awarded a contract with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. To Transport equipment to from Quincy, Massachusetts to Deer Island in Boston Harbor. Using roll on roll off (Ro-Ro) barges to support the construction of The Deer Island Water Treatment Facility. The contract was for the use of two tugs and two Ro-Ro barges, and lasted over ten years.

In 1999, the charter expired. And, the tug was transferred to the Reinauer Transportation Company's fleet in New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2008, the tug was transferred to the Boston Towing and Transportation Company's fleet in Boston, Massachusetts. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2009, she was "laid up" at the Boston Towing and Transportation Company's Border Street yard in East Boston, Massachusetts.

In 2015, the tug was acquired by the Safer Tug and Barge Company of Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Big Jake.

In 2019, she was phased out of active service. And she was "laid up" at the Maurice River in Cape May, New Jersey.

In 2022, the tug was acquired by the Hays Tug and Launch Company of Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Where she was renamed as the renamed the tug as the Big John.

Powered by two, EMD 12-645-E6 diesel engines. With Falk reduction gears. She was a twin screw tug, fitted with flanking rudders. For a rated 3,000 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by one 150kW, White diesel generator set. And one, 100kw, White diesel generator set. The tug's capacities are 30,000 gallons of fuel, 600 gallons of lube oil, and 7,000 gallons of potable water.

The towing equipment consists of a bow mounted capstan. The tug was also outfitted with an 8 ton crane, mounted on her stern.
(Paul Strubeck, Robert Silva, Captain Tom Rooney)


  • Vessel Name: NOHAB EXPRESS
  • USCG Doc. No.: 544911
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8851170
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WCY7714
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 366
  • Ship Builder: HALTER MARINE SERVICES
  • Year Built: 1972
  • Length: 86.5
  • Hailing Port: PHILADELPHIA, PA.
  • Hull Depth: 9.5
  • Hull Breadth: 30
  • Gross Tonnage: 242
  • Net Tonnage: 164
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Capt. Jared, Nohab Express, JULIET REINAUER, JULIET REINAUER, BIG JAKE, BIG JOHN
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Spainer Marine Inc., East Coast Tender Services Inc., REINAUER TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES, SAFER TUG AND BARGE LLC