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PROASSIST I
Photo by: Piotrowski Remigiusz

Built in 1948, by the Dravo Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (hull #2341) as the Esso Tennessee for the Esso Shipping Company of Wilmington, Delaware.

In 1963, the tug was acquired by the Greenville Towing Company of Greenville, Mississippi. Where she was renamed as the Tennessee

In 1967, she was acquired by the Big T Towing Company of Greenville, Mississippi. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1973, the tug was transferred to Feeder Line Towing Service Incorporated of Greenville, Mississippi. Where she retained her name.

In 1974, she was transferred back to the Greenville Towing Company Incorporated of Greenville, Mississippi. Where the tug retained her name, and was operated by the Peavey Company of Alton, Illinois.

In 1979, the tug was transferred to Williamson Leasing Company of Greenville, Mississppi. Where she retained her name.

In 1983, she was acquired by Aqua Marine Equipment Management Incorporated of Baytown, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1985, the tug was acquired by the Transcontinental Towing Company Incorporated of Edwardsville, Illinois. Where she was renamed as the Emma Katherine.

In 1987, the Transcontinental Towing Company Incorporated, renamed the tug as the Texas Rose.

In 1988, she was acquired by an individual named Virgie Gray of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1988, the tug was acquired by West Indies Transportation Company Incorporated of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Where she was converted to ship docking tug and was renamed as the Witassist I.

In 1997, the tug was acquired by Puerto Rico Operations Incorporated of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Where the tug was renamed as the Cabo San Juan.

In 1997, Puerto Rico Operations Incorporated renamed the tug as the Witassist I.

In 2002, the tug was acquired by American Tugs Incorporated of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Where she was renamed as the Proassist I.

In 2021, she was phased out of active service and was "laid up" at Guayama, Puerto Rico.

She was originally powered by two, GM 16-567C diesel engines. With Western reduction gears, at a ratio of, 3:1, with kort nozzles. The tug was repowered in 1973 with two, EMD 16-567BC diesel engines. Western Gear Model RV - 21, at ratio of 3:1. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 3,240 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 100kW, Delco generator sets. Driven by two, Detriot Diesel 8V-71 diesel engines. With a third, 30kW, Delco generator set.


  • Vessel Name: PROASSIST I
  • USCG Doc. No.: 254714
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8851041
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDE7727
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 2341
  • Ship Builder: DRAVO CORPORATION
  • Year Built: 1948
  • Length: 105
  • Hailing Port: SAN JUAN, PR.
  • Hull Depth: 11
  • Hull Breadth: 36
  • Gross Tonnage: 143
  • Net Tonnage: 97
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Esso Tennessee, Tennessee, Emma Catherine, Texas Rose, Cabo San Juan, WITASSIST I, PROASSIST I
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Esso Shipping Co., Greenville Towing Co., Big T Towing Co., Feeder Line Towing Service Inc., Greenville Towing Co., Williamson Leasing Co., Aqua Marine Equipment Management Inc., Transcontinental Towing Co. Inc., Virgie Gray, PUERTO RICO OPERATIONS INC.