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PORTSMOUTH
Pictured as: the Miss Rui (Smith Maritime Ocean Towing and Salvage) Photo by: Lisa Kolibabek

Built in 1976, by Burton Shipyard Incorporated of Port Arthur, Texas (hull #531) as the Leopardo Grande for Tidewater Marine Services Incorporated of New Orleans, Louisiana

In 2000, the tug was acquired by Seaforce Marine Incorporated of Norfolk, Virginia. Where she was renamed as the Portsmouth.

In 2005, she was acquired by the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Norwegian Sea.

In 2006, she was outfitted with a JAK-400 coupler system. And, an upper wheelhouse at Feeney's Enterprises of Kingston, New York.

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

In 2017, the tug was phased out of active service. And, she was "laid up," at the Kirby Corporation's yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 2018, she was acquired by Captain Latham Smith of the Smith Maritime Ocean Towing and Salvage Company of Palatka, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Miss Rui.

In 2023, the tug was phased out of active service and was "laid up" at Tampa, Florida.

Powered by two, sixteen cylinder, EMD diesel engines. Turning two, cast steel, fixed pitch propellers. She was a twin screw tug, rated at 3,900 horsepower.

Her electrical service was provided by two 99kW generator sets. And, a third, auxiliary 99kW generator set. The tug's capacities were 129,600 gallons of fuel, 8,100 gallons of lube oil, 122,400 gallons of ballast, and 12,310 gallons of potable water.
(Robert Mattsson)


  • Vessel Name: PORTSMOUTH
  • USCG Doc. No.: 574955
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7523659
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDC2759
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 531
  • Ship Builder: BURTON SHIPYARD, INC.
  • Year Built: 1976
  • Length: 130.8
  • Hailing Port: ROCHESTER, MN.
  • Hull Depth: 17.4
  • Hull Breadth: 34.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 198
  • Net Tonnage: 135
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    LEOPARDO GRANDE, PORTSMOUTH, NORWEGIAN SEA, NORWEGIAN SEA, MISS RUI
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Twenty Grand Offshore LLC., SEAFORCE MARINE INC., K-SEA OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L P, K-SEA OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC.,RED DOG BARGE LINES LLC.