Home Search Links About Us Updates Login
KINSMAN CHALLENGER
Pictured as: the Rachel (Tradewinds Towing) Photo by: Kyle Stubbs

Built in 1976, by Allied Shipyard Incorporated of Larose, Louisiana (hull #151) as the Equator United Tugs Incorporated of Belle Chasse, Louisiana.

In 1981, the tug was acquired by the St. Philip Coastal Towing Company of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Esther St. Philip.

In 1981, the tug was chartered to Offshore Express Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Offshore Endeavor.

In 1982, she was renturned to the St. Philip Coastal Towing Company of Tampa, Florida. Where she was renamed as the Esther St. Philip.

In 1986, the St. Phillip Coastal Towing Company's offshore tug and barge fleet was acquired by the TECO Transport and Trade Corporation of Tampa, Florida and operated under the TECO subsidy Gulfcoast Transit Company of Tampa, Florida. Where she was renamed as the Edie Stephens.

In 1994, she was acquired by the Bay Transportation Company of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Kinsman Challenger.

In 1998, the Bay Transportation Company was acquired by Hvide Marine Incorporated of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Challenger.

In 2000, Hvide Marine Incorporated as acquired by Seabulk Towing Services Incorporated of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2010, she was "bareboat" chartered by the Tradewinds Towing Company of St. Augustine, Florida. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2011, the tug was acquired by the Tradewinds Towing Company. Where she was renamed as the Rachel. Named for the Rachel Smith, co-founder of the Tradewinds Towing Company. And, sister to company President Dominique Smith.

Powered by two, Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines. With Reintjes reduction gears, at a ratio of 6.8:1. Turning two, four bladed, fixed pitch, stainless steel propellers, mounted in kort nozzles. For a rated 3,800 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 75kW generator sets. The tug's capacities are 86,000 gallons of fuel, 1,650 gallons of lube oil, and 12,000 gallons of potable water.

The towing gear consists of an INTERcon DD200, double drum, towing winch outfitted 2000(ft) of 2(in) towing wire on the port drum. And, 1,800(ft) of 2(in) towing wire on the starboard drum.


  • Vessel Name: KINSMAN CHALLENGER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 576417
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7600378
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDF7809
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 151
  • Ship Builder: ALLIED SHIPYARD INC
  • Year Built: 1976
  • Length: 110.0
  • Hailing Port: ST AUGUSTINE, FL.
  • Hull Depth: 13.5
  • Hull Breadth: 31.0
  • Gross Tonnage: 196
  • Net Tonnage: 133
  • Owner:
    MINORCA TUG LLC
    725 JOSEPH ST STE A
    NEW ORLEANS, LA 70115
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    EQUATOR, ESTHER ST. PHILIP, OFFSHORE ENDEAVOR, ESTHER ST.PHILIP, EDIE STEPHENS, , KINSMAN CHALLENGER, CHALLENGER, CHALLENGER
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    United Tugs Inc., St. Philip Coastal Towing Co., Gulfcoast Transit Co., Bay Transportation Co., Hvide Marine Inc., SEABULK TOWING INC, MINORCA TUG LLC