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PENROSE
Photo by: John Curdy

Built in 1981, by the Louis G. Ortis Boat Company, Incorporated of Krotz Springs, Louisiana (hull #115) as the Mr. Shep for the Florida Rock Company of Jacksonville, Florida.

In 2003, the tug was acquired by the BayGulf Trading Corporation of Norfolk, Virginia. Where she was renamed as the Ellen M.

In 2007, she was acquired by K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Scotia Sea.

In 2011, the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2013, the Kirby Corporation's Philadelphia, Pennsylvania operation. Also known as River Associates Incorporated. Was acquired by the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland Where the tug retained her name.

In 2014, the tug was acquired by the River Services of New Jersey Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Where she was renamed as the Penrose.

In 2020, the River Services Company was absorbed into Northstar Marine Incorporated of Clermont, New Jersey. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2022, the tug was placed out of active service and "laid up" at Leesburg, New Jersey.

Powered by two, Detroit Diesel 12V-71 diesel engines. With Twin Disc MG514C reduction gears, at a ratio of 6.00:1. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 900 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: PENROSE
  • USCG Doc. No.: 6343670
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 89937580
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDH8517
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 115
  • Ship Builder: LOUIS G. ORTIS BOAT CO, INC
  • Year Built: 1981
  • Length: 55.8
  • Hailing Port: PHILADELPHIA, PA.
  • Hull Depth: 9.2
  • Hull Breadth: 24.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 129
  • Net Tonnage: 87
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    MR. SHEP, ELLEN M., SCOTIA SEA, SCOTIA SEA, PENROSE, PENROSE
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Florida Rock Co., MBJ CORPORATION, K-SEA OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP, K-SEA OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, VANE LINE BUNKERING INC, POLLUTION SOLUTIONS OF NEW JERSEY LLC, Northstar Marine Inc.