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YANKTON
Pictured as: the Mike Azzolino (Vinik Marine) Photo by: Paul Strubeck

Built in 1944, by by Ira S. Bushey and Sons of Brooklyn, New York (hull #526) as the USCG Yankton (WYT-72) for the United States Coast Guard.

An Apalachee class harbor tug. The tug served in World War II, as well as being assigned to the ports of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Portland, Maine; and New York, New York. She was utilized in the capacities of law enforcement, search and rescue patrols, fire fighting, ice breaking, commercial towing, and even spent time guarding the United States Vice President.

In 1984, she was decommissioned. And "laid up" for sale, and or, commercial service.

In 1984, the tug was acquired by the Zenith Tugboat Company of Duluth, Minnesota. Where she was renamed as the Yankton.

In 1987, she was acquired by Russell Trip of the Bay State Towing Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Where she was renamed as the Russell Jr.

In 2006, she was acquired by Constellation Towing of Boston, Massachusetts. Where she was renamed as the Cetus.

In 2006, the Constellation Maritime Company was acquired by the Foss Maritime Company of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug was "laid up" at Boston, Massachusetts.

In 2007, the tug was acquired by Vinik Marine Incorporated of Keyport, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Mike Azzolino. Named for Vinik Marine Incorporated's founder and owner, Mike Vinik's grandfather.

In 2016, she was scrapped. The tug was single screw, rated at 1,200 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: YANKTON
  • USCG Doc. No.: 910264
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8845389
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDE3009
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 526
  • Ship Builder: IRA S BUSHEY & SONS INC
  • Year Built: 1944
  • Length: 104.1
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK, NY.
  • Hull Depth: 12.7
  • Hull Breadth: 26.7
  • Gross Tonnage: 195
  • Net Tonnage: 116
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    USCG Yankton (WYT-72), YANKTON, RUSSELL JR., CETUS
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    United States Coast Guard, ZENITH TUGBOAT COMPANY INC., Bay State Towing Co., CETUS TUG CORPORATION, CONSTELLATION MARITIME COMPANY, VINIK MARINE INC., VINIK MARINE INC.