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TARPON
Pictured as: the Tarpon (Kirby Corporation) Photo by: Captain Ted

Built in 1974, by McDermott Shipyard Incorporated of Morgan City, Louisiana (hull #191) as the Miriam M. Defelice for the Defelice Marine Towing Company of Lake Charles, Louisiana

In 1980, the Defelice Marine Towing Company was acquired by Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1985, Zapata Marine Service, Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated, and Jackson Marine Services merged to form Zapata Gulf Marine Service Incorporated of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1986, the tug was acquired by the Morania Oil Tanker Corporation of Staten Island, New York. Where she was renamed as the Morania No. 1.

In 1993, the Morania Oil Tanker Corporation renamed the tug as the Tarpon.

In 2000, the Morania Oil Tanker Corporation merged with Penn Maritime Incorporated of Stamford, Connecticut. Where the retained her name.

In 2005, she was fitted with a JAK-400 coupler system. And, "married" to the double hulled, 80,000(bbl) barge the Potomac. That was built in 1975, by Wiley Manufacturing of Port Deposit, Maryland. In 2005, the barge was fitted with a double hull, and her notch was modified to receive a JAK coupler system.

In 2012, Penn Maritime Incorporated was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2018, the tug was acquired by Curtin Maritime Incorporated of Long Beach, California. Where she retained her name. And the tug was "laid up" at Therodore, Alabama.

Powered by two, twelve cylinder, EMD 12-645-E5 diesel engines. Turning two, cast steel, fixed pitch propellers. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,300 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 75kW generator sets. The tug's capacities are 120,727 gallons of fuel.
(Captain Eric Takakjian, Kyle Stubbs)


  • Vessel Name: TARPON
  • USCG Doc. No.: 556953
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7390923
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WCD2519
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 191
  • Ship Builder: MCDERMOTT SHIPYARD
  • Year Built: 1974
  • Length: 120.2
  • Hailing Port: PHILADELPHIA, PA.
  • Hull Depth: 16.3
  • Hull Breadth: 34
  • Gross Tonnage: 203
  • Net Tonnage: 138
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Miriam M. Defelice, MORANIA NO.1, TARPON
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Defelice Marine Towing Co., Gulf Fleet Marine Inc., Zapata Gulf Marine Service Inc., Morania Oil Tanker Corp., PENN MARITIME INC, TARPON TUG LLC