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JOHN C. BARKER
Pictured as: the Aegean Sea (Burnham Associates) Photo by: Jack Clifford

Built in 1962, by Equitable Shipyard Incorporated of Madisonville, Louisiana (hull #1235) as the Bronx 4 for the Bronx Towing Line Incorporated of New York, New York.

In 1979, the tug was acquired by the Hudson River Towing Company of New York, New York. Where she was renamed as the H.R. 4.

In 1987, she was acquired by Barker Marine Limited of New York, New York. Where she was renamed as the John C. Barker.

In 1989, the tug was acquired by the Disch Construction Corporation of Summit, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Jersey Coast.

In 1994, she was acquired by Captain Christopher Roehrig of the Roehrig Maritime Company of Staten Island, New York. Where she was renamed as the Francis E. Roehrig. She was named for Captain Roehrig's father.

In 2004, the tug underwent an extensive overhaul at Atlantic Drydock of Jacksonville, Florida. The overhaul included included changing out the two original, Caterpillar D-398 diesel engines (rated at 1,300 horsepower.) With two, new Caterpillar 3512 diesel engines for rated 2,400 horsepower. A new steering system, overhauling and replacement of propeller shafts, propellers and rudders, as well as the installation of Fernstrum keel coolers. The tug's hull and topside were blasted and painted as well.

In 2006, the tug was acquired by the K-Sea Transportation Partnership Incorporated of East Brunswick, New Jersey. Where she was renamed as the Aegean 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 2013, the tug was acquired by Burnham Associates of Salem, Massachusetts. Where she retained her name.

Originally powered by two, Caterpillar D-398 diesel engines, rated at 1,300 horsepower. In 2004, the Roehrig Maritime Company repowered the tug with two, Caterpillar 3512 diesel engines. With Lufkin reduction gears, at a ratio of 4,3:1. Turning two, 73(in) by 52(in), inboard turning, fixed pitch propellers. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 2,400 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by two, 65kW generator sets. The tug's capacites are 18,000 gallons of fuel, 400 gallons of lube oil, and 4,000 gallons of potable water.

The towing equipment consists of a single drum, Markey TES-22 towing winch. Outfitted with 1,200(ft) of 1-1/2(in) galvanized towing wire. And two, BEBE wire face winches, outfitted with 125(ft) 1-1/8(in) wire.
(Captain Christopher Roehrig, Captain Jonathan Blake)


  • Vessel Name: JOHN C. BARKER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 287737
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 8644333
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise, Unrestricted Registry
  • Call Sign: WDE5029
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 1235
  • Ship Builder: EQUITABLE EQUIPMENT CO
  • Year Built: 1962
  • Length: 75.5
  • Hailing Port: BOSTON, MA.
  • Hull Depth: 8.6
  • Hull Breadth: 24
  • Gross Tonnage: 146
  • Net Tonnage: 73
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Bronx 4, H.R. 4, JOHN C. BARKER, JERSEY COAST, FRANCIS E. ROEHRIG, AEGEAN SEA
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Bronx Towing Line Inc., Hudson River Towing Co., Disch Construction Company, Barker Marine Ltd., TUG FRANCIS E ROEHRIG LLC, K-SEA OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP, K-SEA OPERATING LLC, KIRBY OFFSHORE MARINE OPERATING LLC, VANE LINE BUNKERING INC, CHOATE EQUIPMENT INC.