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GULF WHALE
Pictured as: the Allie B. (Dann Ocean Towing) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1977, by Quality Shipyards Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #138) as the Gulf Whale for Gulf Mississippi Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas.

In 1977, the tug was chartered by Bayou Marine Corporation of Houma, Louisiana. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1978, Gulf Mississippi Marine Incorporated became Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1981, the tug was acquired by the St. Phillip Coastal Towing Company of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1986, the St. Phillip Coastal Towing Company's offshore tug and barge fleet was acquired by the TECO Transport and Trade Corporation of Tampa, Florida and operated under the TECO subsidy Gulfcoast Transit Company of Tampa, Florida. Where she was renamed as the Janet Graham.

In 2000, she was then acquired by Express Marine Incorporated of Camden, New Jersey. Where the tug was renamed as the Express Explorer. Where she serviced the Domino Sugar plant in Brooklyn, New York. When the Domino Sugar plant closed; the contract the Express Explorer operated under ended.

In 2006, the tug was then acquired by the Dann Ocean Towing Company of Tampa, Florida. Where she was renamed as the Allie B.

Powered by two, EMD 12-645-E6 diesel engines. With Reintjes WAV 1850 reduction gears at a ratio of 4.95:1. Turning two, 108(in) by 108(in) fixed pitch, five bladed, stainless steel propellers, mounted in kort nozzles. She was a twin screw tug, rated at 3,000 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two,99kW, Stamford generator sets. Driven by two, Detroit 6V71 engines. The tug's capacities are 96,000 gallons of fuel oil, 225 gallons of hydraulic oil, 4,185 gallons of lube oil, 6,925 gallons of water.

Her towing gear consists of a double drum, INTERcon DD-200, towing winch. Outfitted with 2,000(ft) of 2(in) towing wire. With a secondary drum equipped with 2000(ft) of 2(in) towing wire. Driven by single, dedicated Detroit 8V71 engine, she also features sheaves and fairleads for notch towing.
(Captain Eric Takakjian, Kyle Stubbs)


  • Vessel Name: GULF WHALE
  • USCG Doc. No.: 00581850
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 007626279
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDD3857
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 138
  • Ship Builder: QUALITY EQUIPMENT INC
  • Year Built: 1977
  • Length: 106.7
  • Hailing Port: TAMPA, FL.
  • Hull Depth: 12
  • Hull Breadth: 32
  • Gross Tonnage: 194
  • Net Tonnage: 148
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Gulf Whale, JANET GRAHAM, EXPRESS EXPLORER
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Bayou Marine Inc., Gulf Mississippi Marine Inc., Gulf Fleet Marine Inc., St. Phillip Coastal Towing Co., TECO Transport and Trade Corp. (Gulfcoast Transit Co.), EXPRESS MARINE INC, TUG ALLIE-B INC