Pictured as: the OSG Freedom (OSG) Photo by: Glen Daigrepont
ZION FALGOUT
Built in 1979, by Main Iron Works Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #345) as the Freedom for the Interstate Oil Transportation Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At the time, the Interstate Oil Transportation Company operated two fleets. Their Northeast Fleet, which was referred to as the "Green Fleet." Operated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And their Southern Fleet, which was referred to as the "White fleet" which operated out of Tampa, Florida.
In 1981, the Interstate Oil Transportation Company was acquired by the Southern National Resources Company of Birmingham, Alabama. The new company was named the SONAT Marine Company Incorporated of Birmingham, Alabama. Where the tug retained her name.
In 1987, the SONAT Marine Company was acquired by the the Maritrans Operating Partnership of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug retained her name. Maritrans was formed by group of managers from the SONAT Marine Company. Who offered to form a partnership to raise the funds necessary to purchase the company. These eleven partners included some individuals who had worked for the Interstate Oil Transportation Company since the 1950's.
In March of 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound near Valdez, Alaska. And in 1990, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was passed calling for the double hulling of all petroleum carrying vessels by January 1st of 2015. As well, as other stipulations that effected Maritrans including manning, preparedness, and spill prevention. Maritrans filed suit to fight the stipulations set fourth by OPA '90.
By the mid 1990's, the Maritrans Operating Partners had begun to consolidate its business. By first, backing out of the black oil trade, and carrying only petroleum products and petrochemicals. The phosphate trade, and local transportation in Baltimore, Maryland that was part of the Harbor Towing subsidiary did not fit into Maritrans's new business model. As Maritrans backed out local transportation companies emerged, and established operations in the area. They included the Bouchard Transportation Company of Melville, New York and the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland.
In 2006, the Maritrans Operating Partners was acquired by Overseas Shipholding Group of New York, New York. Where the tug was renamed as the OSG Freedom.
In 2012, the tug was acquired by the Falgout Brothers of Global Towing Services Incorporated of LaRose, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Zion Falgout and was "laid up" at Morgan City, Louisiana.
In 2022, she was scrapped.
Powered by two, sixteen cylinder, EMD 16-645-E7B diesel engines. Turning two, stainless steel, fixed pitch propellers. She was a twin screw tug rated at 5,600 horsepower.
The tug was fitted with an INTERcon coupler system. Her electrical service was provided by two, 100kW generator sets. Her capacities were 134,464 gallons of fuel.
(Captain Eric Takakjian)
- Vessel Name: ZION FALGOUT
- USCG Doc. No.: 615200
- Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
- IMO Number: 7906837
- Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
- Call Sign: WDD6582
- Hull Material: STEEL
- Hull Number: 345
- Ship Builder: MAIN IRON WORKS, INC.
- Year Built: 1979
- Length: 131
- Hailing Port: LA ROSE, LA.
- Hull Depth: 20
- Hull Breadth: 37
- Gross Tonnage: 675
- Net Tonnage: 202
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Previous Vessel Names:
FREEDOM, OSG FREEDOM, OSG FREEDOM, ZION FALGOUT -
Previous Vessel Owners:
Interstate Oil Transportation Co., SONAT Marine Co., Maritrans Operating Partnership Inc., MARITRANS FREEDOM CO, OVERSEAS FREEDOM CORPORATION, OSG FREEDOM LLC, ZION FALGOUT LLC
