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CHALLENGER
Pictured as: the McAllister Girls (McAllister Towing) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1968, by Main Iron Works Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana (hull #200) as the Challenger the Interstate Oil Transportation Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time, the Interstate Oil Transportation Company operated two fleets. Their Northeast Fleet, which was referred to as the "Green Fleet." Operated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And their Southern Fleet, which was referred to as the "White fleet" which operated out of Tampa, Florida.

In 1981, the Interstate Oil Transportation Company was acquired by the Southern National Resources Company of Birmingham, Alabama. The new company was named the SONAT Marine Company Incorporated of Birmingham, Alabama. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1987, the SONAT Marine Company was acquired by the the Maritrans Operating Partnership of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug retained her name. Maritrans was formed by group of managers from the SONAT Marine Company. Who offered to form a partnership to raise the funds necessary to purchase the company. These eleven partners included some individuals who had worked for the Interstate Oil Transportation Company since the 1950's.

In March of 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound near Valdez, Alaska. And in 1990, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was passed calling for the double hulling of all petroleum carrying vessels by January 1st of 2015. As well, as other stipulations that effected Maritrans including manning, preparedness, and spill prevention. Maritrans filed suit to fight the stipulations set fourth by OPA '90.

By the mid 1990's, the Maritrans Operating Partners had begun to consolidate its business. By first, backing out of the black oil trade, and carrying only petroleum products and petrochemicals. The phosphate trade, and local transportation in Baltimore, Maryland that was part of the Harbor Towing subsidiary did not fit into Maritrans's new business model. As Maritrans backed out local transportation companies emerged, and established operations in the area. They included the Bouchard Transportation Company of Melville, New York and the Vane Brothers Company of Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1997, the tug was acquired by the Turecamo Coastal and Harbor Towing Corporation of New York, New York. Where she was renamed as the Betty Jean Turecamo.

In 1998, the Turecamo Coastal and Harbor Towing Corporation was acquired by the Moran Towing Corporation of New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 2004, she was acquired by the McAllister Towing and Transportation Company of New York, New York. Where she was renamed as the McAllister Girls.

In 2016, the tug was "laid up" at McAllister Towing and Transportation's yard at Mariner's Harbor in Staten Island, New York.

In 2021, she was scrapped at East Boston, Massachusetts.

She was powered by two, sixteen cylinder, EMD 16-645-CE2 diesel engines. With Haley 2135 reduction gears, at ratio a of 3.5:1. Turning two, cast steel, fixed pitch propellers. She was a twin screw tug, rated 3,600 horsepower.

Her electrical service was provided by two, 60kW generator sets. The tug's capacities are 35,663 gallons of fuel.

The towing equipment consisted of a Markey, single drum, towing winch. Equipped with 2,000(ft) of 2(in) towing wire.
(Ralph W. Hooper, Rodney P. Carlisle, Captain Eric Takakjian)


  • Vessel Name: CHALLENGER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 513794
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7121774
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDB2942
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 200
  • Ship Builder: MAIN IRON WORKS, INC.
  • Year Built: 1968
  • Length: 99
  • Hailing Port: WILMINGTON, DE.
  • Hull Depth: 11.3
  • Hull Breadth: 30.2
  • Gross Tonnage: 195
  • Net Tonnage: 132
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    CHALLENGER, Betty Jean Turecamo, McALLISTER GIRLS
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Interstate Oil Transport Co., SONAT Marine Co., Maritrans Operating Partners LLP, Turecamo Coastal and Harbor Towing Corp., MORAN TOWING CORPORATION, MCALLISTER TOWING AND TRANSPORTATION CO INC, MCALLISTER TOWING AND TRANSPORTATION CO INC