Pictured as: the Crown Charger (Crown Trans.) Photo by: Capt. Billy Smith
FRANK W. BANTA
Built in 1951, by Avondale Marine Ways of New Orleans, Louisiana (hull #358) as the Frank W. Banta for Plaquemine Towing Corporation.
In 1955, the tug was acquired by the Moran Inland Towing Corporation of Mount Vernon, Indiana. Where she was renamed as the David E. Moran.
In 1962, she was acquired by the National Marine Service where she was renamed as the Bill Dyer. Later in 1962, the tug was acquired by Ingert Incorporated where she retained her name.
In 1964, the tug was acquired by River towing Incorporated (Houghland Towing Company) where she again, retained her name.
In 1982, she was acquired by the Tennessee River Towing Corporation where she retained her name.
In 1988, the tug was acquired by Tri River Marine Incorporated where the tug retained her name.
In 2005, she was acquired by New Johnsonville Marine Service Incorporated where she was renamed as the Vikki Inman.
In 2008, the tug was acquired by the Crown Transport Company of Jackson, Tennessee where she was renamed as the Crown Charger.
Powered by two GM 12-645E2 diesel engines, for a rated 3,000 horsepower.
(Carel Boone)
- Vessel Name: FRANK W. BANTA
- USCG Doc. No.: 262492
- Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
- Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
- Call Sign: WD7732
- Hull Material: STEEL
- Hull Number: 358
- Ship Builder: AVONDALE MARINE WAYS INC
- Year Built: 1951
- Length: 94.1
- Hailing Port: JACKSON, TN.
- Hull Depth: 9.9
- Hull Breadth: 26
- Gross Tonnage: 188
- Net Tonnage: 73
-
Owner:
CROWN TRANSPORT COMPANY LLC
3 QUINWOOD DR
JACKSON, TN 38305 -
Previous Vessel Names:
Frank W. Banta, David E. Moran, BILL DYER, VIKKI INMAN -
Previous Vessel Owners:
Plaquemine Towing Corporation, Moran Inland Waterways, National Marine Service, Igert Incorporated, River Towing Incorporated (Houghland Towing Company), Tennessee River Towing Corporation, TRI-RIVER MARINE INC, NEW JOHNSONVILLE MARINE SERVICE INC, CROWN TRANSPORT COMPANY LLC
