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DIXIE PIRATE
Pictured as: the Bobbie Ann (Gore Marine) Photo by: Chris Jenkins

Built in 1967, by Main Iron Works Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #192) as the Dixie Pirate for Dixie Carriers Incorporated of Houston, Texas.

In 1982, she was acquired by Offshore Incorporated of Mobile, Alabama. Where tug the retained her name.

The tug was later acquired by Ireland Marine Transportation Incorporated of Chesapeake, Virginia. Where she was renamed as the Goose Creek.

In 2005, she was acquired by the Kosnac Floating Derrick Corporation of Staten Island, New York. Where the tug was renamed as the Vera K.

In 2010, the tug was acquired by the Gore Marine Corporation of Townsend, Georgia. Where she was renamed as the Bobbie Ann.

Named for the mother of the Gore Marine Corporation's founders, Bobbie Ann Gore. And, the tug was outfitted with an upper wheelhouse.

In 2024, the tug was acquired by the Ward Towing Company of Deltaville, Virginia. Where she was renamed as the Capt. Mel.

Originally powered by two, GM 16V-71 diesel engines. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 1,000 horsepower. In 2005, the tug was repowered with two, Caterpillar 3412 diesel engines, with Twin Disc 527 reduction gears, at a ratio of 5:1. Turning two, 62(in) by 48(in), four bladed, fixed pitch propellers. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 1,600 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 30kW generator sets. Driven by two, 371 Detroit Diesel diesel engines. The tug's capacities are 20,500 gallons of fuel, 500 gallons of lube oil, and 3,350 gallons of potable water.

The towing equipment consists of two, 40 ton Nabrico push winches. And, a Nabrico electric capstan, mounted on the stern.
(Dan Owen)


  • Vessel Name: DIXIE PIRATE
  • USCG Doc. No.: 510349
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDP4101
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: I92
  • Ship Builder: MAIN IRON WORKS INC
  • Year Built: 1967
  • Length: 68.8
  • Hailing Port: DELTAVILLE, VA.
  • Hull Depth: 6.2
  • Hull Breadth: 22.2
  • Gross Tonnage: 99
  • Net Tonnage: 67
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Dixie Pirate, GOOSE CREEK, VERA K., BOBBIE ANN
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Dixie Carriers Inc., Offshore Inc., IRELAND MARINE TRANSPORTATION INC., KOSNAC FLOATING DERRICK CORP, M/T BOBBIE ANN LLC