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HERON
Pictured as: the Tobacco Pointe (Blaha Towing) Photo by: William L. Baxter

Built in 1954, by the Calumet Shipyard and Dry Dock Company of Chicago, Illinois (hull #220) as the Sharon Lee for the A.L. Mechling Barge Lines of Joliet, Illinois.

In 1967, the tug was acquired by the Gulf Atlantic Towing Company of Lafayette, Louisiana. A subsidiary of Brusco Tug and Barge Incorporated of Longview, Washington. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1972, she was acquired by the Allied Transportation Company of Norfolk, Virginia. Where the tug was renamed as the Heron.

In 1994, the tug was acquired by the Providence Steamboat Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Where she retained her name.

In 1994, she was acquired by Robbins Maritime Incorporated of Norfolk, Virginia. Where the tug was renamed as the Bay Prince.

In 1999, the tug was acquired by the Blaha Towing Company of Suffolk, Virginia. Where she was renamed as the Tobacco Pointe.

In 2012, she went out of documentation. The tug was scrapped along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River near Norfolk, Virginia. She was a single screw tug, rated at 1,800 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: HERON
  • USCG Doc. No.: 2683900
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 76198000
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WCZ3535
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 220
  • Ship Builder: CALUMET SHIPYARD
  • Year Built: 1954
  • Length: 88.9
  • Hailing Port: NORFOLK, VA.
  • Hull Depth: 10.5
  • Hull Breadth: 26
  • Gross Tonnage: 167
  • Net Tonnage: 74
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Sharon Lee, HERON, BAY PRINCE, TOBACCO POINTE
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    A.L. Mechling Barge Lines, Gulf Atlantic Towing, Allied Transportation Co., Providence Steamboat Co., ROBBINS MARITIME INC., BLAHA TOWING COMPANY LLC, BLAHA TOWING COMPANY LLC,