Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 2006, by Thoma-Sea Boat Builders Incorporated of Lockport, Louisiana (hull #128) as the Choptank for the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

She was the fifth Patapsco class tug designed by Frank Basile of Entech and Associates of Houma, Louisiana. And constructed by Thoma-Sea Boat Builders for the Vane Brothers Company.

Named for The Choptank River which is a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay and the largest river on the Delmarva Peninsula. Running for 71 miles. It rises in Kent County, Delaware, runs through Caroline County, Maryland and forms much of the border between Talbot County, Maryland on the north, and Caroline County and Dorchester County on the east and south.

It is located north of the Nanticoke River and its mouth is located south of Eastern Bay. Cambridge, the county seat of Dorchester County, and Denton, the county seat of Caroline County, are located on its south shore. Its watershed area in Maryland is 1,004 square miles, of which 224 square miles is open water.

Powered by two, Caterpillar 3516 diesel engines. With Reintjes WAF-872 reduction gears. Turning two, 97(in), fixed pitch, propellers. Mounted in CNF, Type 37, kort nozzles. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,200 horsepower.

The tug's electrical service is provided by two, 72kW, Caterpillar 3054T generator sets. Her capacities are 89,910 gallons of fuel oil, and 8,816 of potable water.

Her towing gear consists of an INTERcon, double drum, towing winch. Driven by a dedicated John Deere diesel engine.

Photo by: Jeffery Anzevino

Photo by: Jeffery Anzevino

Photo by: Jeffery Anzevino

Photo by: Captain Pat Folan

Photo by: John Curdy

Photo by: Birk Thomas

Photo by: Birk Thomas

Photo by: Birk Thomas