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ALLEN JAMES
Pictured as: the Nativity (Marquette Transportation) Photo by: Sam Draye

Built in 1975, by F. B. Walker and Sons Incorporated of Pascagoula, Mississippi (hull #195) as the Roger Billiot for the Wood Marine Corporation of Harahan, Louisiana.

In 1982, the tug was acquired by Koch-Ellis Marine Contractors Incorporated of Westwego, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Allen James.

In 1987, she was acquired by the Mid-Continent Stone Company Incorporated of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Where the tug was renamed as the Limestone Leader.

In 1990, the tug was acquired by the Spanier Marine Corporation of Harvey, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Kurt Spanier.

In 1991, she was acquired by Eckstein Marine Services of Jefferson, Louisiana. A division of the Marquette Transportation Company of Jefferson, Louisiana. Where the tug was renamed as the Jonathan Thomas.

In 2007, the tug was transferred to the Marquette Transportation Company of Jefferson, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Nativity.

Re powered in 2008, she is powered by two, Caterpillar 3412D diesel engines. With Twin Disc reduction gears, at a ratio of 7:1. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 1,440 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: ALLEN JAMES
  • USCG Doc. No.: 563142
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8635760
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDC2792
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 195
  • Ship Builder: F. B. Walker & Sons
  • Year Built: 1975
  • Length: 66
  • Hailing Port: NEW ORLEANS, LA.
  • Hull Depth: 10
  • Hull Breadth: 24
  • Gross Tonnage: 159
  • Net Tonnage: 108
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Roger Billiot, Allen James, Limestone Leader, Kurt Spanier, Jonathan Thomas
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Wood Marine Corp., Koch-Ellis Marine Contractors Inc., Mid-Continent Stone Co. Inc., Spanier Marine Corp., ECKSTEIN MARINE SERVICE LLC, MARQUETTE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY GULF-INLAND LLC