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BETTY MORAN (1963)
Pictured as: the John Brix (Kirby Corporation) Photo by: Captain Rick Wilson

Built in 1963, by the Southern Shipbuilding Corporation of Slidell, Louisiana (hull #58) as the Betty Moran for the Moran Towing Company of New York, New York.

In 1974, the tug was acquired by Midland Enterprises Incorporated of Cincinnati, Ohio. Where the tug was renamed as the Albert J.

In 1961, Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates of Boston, Massachusetts had acquired Midland Enterprises. As well as the operating subsidiary, the Ohio River Company. Eastern Gas acquired the T-Wharf Towing Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Which, under their ownership. Became the Boston Towboat Company of Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1975, the tug was acquired by the Boston Towboat Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Where the tug was renamed as the Ocean Gulf.

In 1976, the tug was acquired by Northland Marine Services of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug was renamed as the Polar Viking.

In 1983, the tug was acquired by the Knappton Towboat Company of Portland, Oregon. Where she was renamed as the John Brix.

In 1984, the tug was transferred to the SeaCoast Transportation Company of Seattle, Washington. Which was a non-union oil, and gravel subsidy of the Brix Maritime Company. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2007, the SeaCoast Transportation Company was acquired by the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2011, the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2018, the tug was acquired by the Pacific Tug Company of Coos Bay, Oregon. Where she retained her name.

She was originally powered by two, twelve cylinder, Fairbanks Morse Opposed Piston diesel engines. With Philadelphia reverse/reduction gears at a ratio of 5.78:1. Turning two, four bladed, 156(in) by 114(in), fixed pitch propellers. The tug was repowered with two, EMD 16-645E2 diesel engines. For a rated 3,900 horsepower.

The tug's electrical service is provided by two, 60kW generator sets. Her capacities are 100,650 gallons of fuel, and 80,836 of ballast. Her towing equipment consists of a single drum Markey towing winch. Outfitted with 2,000(ft) of 2.75(in) towing wire.
(Captain Christopher Roehrig, Captain Ron Greger, Captain Ric Shrewsbury, Captain Brian Fournier)


  • Vessel Name: BETTY MORAN (1963)
  • USCG Doc. No.: 293323
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 6407834
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDC7500
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 58
  • Ship Builder: SOUTHERN SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION
  • Year Built: 1963
  • Length: 136.1
  • Hailing Port: COOS BAY, OR.
  • Hull Depth: 12.1
  • Hull Breadth: 35
  • Gross Tonnage: 194
  • Net Tonnage: 132
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Betty Moran, Albert J., Ocean Gulf, Polar Viking, Ocean Gulf
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Moran Towing Co., Midland Enterprises Inc., Boston Towboat Co., Northland Marine Services, Knappton Towboat Co., PACIFIC LOGISTICS INC, SEA COAST TRANSPORTATION LLC, K-SEA TRANSPORTATION LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE PACIFIC LLC