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CHALLENGER
Pictured as: the Spartan (Occidental Chemical) Photo by: Wade P. Streeter

Built in 1969, by Burton Shipyard Incorporated of Port Arthur, Texas (hull #439) as the Lead Horse for Caspary Wendell Incorporated of Houston, Texas.

In 1971, she was acquired by the Santa Fe Pomeroy Marine Service Company of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1973, the tug was acquired by the Gulf Mississippi Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas. Where the tug was renamed as the Gulf Challenger.

In 1978, Gulf Mississippi Marine Incorporated became Gulf Fleet Marine Incorporated of Houston, Texas. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1979, she was acquired by the Hannah Marine Corporation of Lemont, Illinois. Where she was renamed as the Challenger.

In 1993, the Hannah Marine Corporation renamed the tug as the Mark Hannah. She was fitted with a Bludworth coupler system. And, married to the barge Hannah 6301.

In 2002, she was acquired by the Occidental Chemical Corporation of Dallas, Texas. Where the tug was renamed as the Spartan. Her barge was renamed as the Spartan II. However, manning and operation of the vessel was contracted to Andire Incorporated of of Muskegon, Michigan.

She is a twin screw tug, rated at 3,200 horsepower.
(Tyler Fairfield, Captain Rick Wilson, Captain John Cooke, Wade P. Streeter)


  • Vessel Name: CHALLENGER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 519204
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7047461
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WYZ5243
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 439
  • Ship Builder: BURTON SHIPYARD INC
  • Year Built: 1969
  • Length: 121.1
  • Hailing Port: LUDINGTON, MI.
  • Hull Depth: 10.9
  • Hull Breadth: 32.1
  • Gross Tonnage: 190
  • Net Tonnage: 129
  • Owner:
    OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    561 E WESTERN AVENUE
    MUSKEGON, MI 49442
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Lead Horse, Gulf Challenger, CHALLENGER, MARK HANNAH
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Caspary Wendell Inc., Santa Fe Pomeroy Marine Service Co., Gulf Mississippi Marine Inc., Gulf Fleet Marine Corp., Zapata Gulf Marine Inc., HANNAH BROTHERS, OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORPORATION