Built in 1975, by the Dravo Corporation of Neville Island, Pennsylvania (hull #6611) as the James F. Towey for the Nilo Barge Line Incorporated of St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1981, she was acquired by Sea West Partners Incorporated of New Orleans, Louisiana. An affiliate of the Dravo Mechling Corporation of New Orleans, Louisiana. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1985, the tug was leased to the Stokes Towing Company Incorporated of Greenville, Mississippi. Where she retained her name.

In 1988, she was acquired by National Marine Incorporated of New Orleans, Louisiana. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1996, the tug was leased to the Mid-South Towing Company of Metropolis, Illinois. Where she retained her name.

In 1998, she was acquired by the American Commercial Barge Line Incorporated of Jeffersonville, Indiana. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1998, she was acquired by the Mid-South Towing Company Metropolis, Illinois. Where the tug was renamed as the Marge Kovac.

In 2002, the Mid-South Towing Company became the TECO Barge Line Incorporated Metropolis, Illinois. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2015, she was acquired by the Marquette Transportation Company of Jefferson, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Blake Denton.

Powered by two, Tier III compliant, EMD-16-710G7C-T3 diesel engines. With Falk reduction gears, at a ratio of 4.515:1. Turning two, 117(in) by 121.16(in), Avdl, fixed pitch, stainless steel propellers, mounted on kort nozzles. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 8,000 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, John Deere 6081 generator sets. The tug's capacities are 176,744 gallons of fuel, and 2,568 gallons of lube oil.