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AMERICA (2008)
Pictured as: the Signet America (Signet Maritime) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 2008, by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Incorporated of Tacoma, Washington (hull #246) as the Signet America for the Signet Maritime Corporation of Houston, Texas.

An AZ-30/80 class tractor tug, she was designed by Naval Architects at Robert Allan Limited, of Vancouver, British Columbia. The tug was constructed under the operational requirements of the Signet Maritime Corporation, as well as the physical restrictions.

Primarily a limiting draft of 17(ft) 6(in) for operations in the La Quinta Channel in the port of Corpus Christi, Texas. In which the tug was intended operate. She was originally conceived to not only perform conventional ship handling, escort work, oil rig handling, and short haul coastal towing.

In 2008, she was chartered by the Foss Maritime Company of Seattle, Washington. Where she was renamed as the America.

In 2018, the tug was returned to the Signet Maritime Corporation of Houston, Texas. Where she was renamed as the Signet America.

Powered by two, MTU 16V4000 M71 diesel engines. With Niigata ZP 41SC z-drives. Outfitted with 106.3(in)/2,700(mm), four bladed, Nibral propellers. Through a hollow, in line shaft system, for a rated 6,610 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 99kW Northern Lights M99C2 generator sets. The tug's capacities are 46,958 gallons of fuel, 500 gallons of lube oil, 1,731 gallons of dirty oil storage, 200 gallons of z drive oil storage, 200 gallons of hydraulic oil storage, and 3,596 gallons of potable water.

The tug has a full FiFi 1 rating, with two Stang/Counterfire 350X250-600 SLP, 6,200 gallons per minute, fire pumps. Each are driven by a PTO off the front of the main engines.

The towing equipment consists of a Markey DEPCF-52S electric winch. Outfitted with 750(ft) of 10(in)/(80(mm) Amsteel Blue HMPE line.


  • Vessel Name: AMERICA (2008)
  • USCG Doc. No.: 1206415
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 9430492
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDE6770
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 246
  • Ship Builder: J. M. MARTINAC SHIPBUILDING
  • Year Built: 2008
  • Length: 91.5
  • Hailing Port: PASCAGOULA, MS.
  • Hull Depth: 20.0
  • Hull Breadth: 40.0
  • Gross Tonnage: 295
  • Net Tonnage: 110
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    SIGNET AMERICA, AMERICA
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    SIGNET MARITIME CORPORATION