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BRANDON
Pictured as: the Buckskin (Kirby Corporation) Photo by: Vladimir Knyaz

Built in 1975, by Terrebonne Shipbuilders of Houma, Louisiana (hull #8) as the Virgie R. for MR Towing Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana.

In 1977, the tug was acquired by Alario Towing Incorporated of Marrero, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Judy Alario.

In 1981, she was acquired by the St. Charles Towing Service Incorporated of Destrehan, Louisiana. Where the tug was renamed as the Charmaine Alario.

In 1984, the St. Charles Towing Service Incorporated renamed the tug as the Brandon.

In 1990, she was acquired by the Western Towing Company of Channelview, Texas. Where the tug was renamed as the Buckskin.

In 2004, the tug was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where she retained her name.

In 2015, she was acquired by the M and P Barge Company Incorporated of Plaquemine, Louisiana. Where the tug was renamed as the G.W. Dunn.

In 2021, she was acquired by Businelle Towing Corporation of Plaquemine, Louisiana. Where the tug was renamed as the Richard B.

Repowered in 1999, the tug is driven by two Volvo TAMD-122A diesel engines. With Twin Disc reduction gears, at a ratio of 6:1. She is a twin screw, square bow, push boat. Rated at 800 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: BRANDON
  • USCG Doc. No.: 568300
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDC2640
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 8
  • Ship Builder: TERREBONNE SHIPBUILDERS
  • Year Built: 1975
  • Length: 55.7
  • Hailing Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA.
  • Hull Depth: 9.1
  • Hull Breadth: 22
  • Gross Tonnage: 93
  • Net Tonnage: 74
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Virgie R., Judy Alario, Charmaine Alario, Brandon, BUCKSKIN, G.W. Dunn
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    MR Towing Inc., Alario Towing, Inc., St. Charles Towing Service Inc., St. Charles Towing Service Inc., Western Towing Co., KIRBY INLAND MARINE LP, M&P BARGE CO INC, Businelle Towing Corp.