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MICHIGAN (1965)
Photo by: Rene Beauchamp

Built in 1965, by Equitable Equipment of Madisonville, Louisiana (hull# 1938) as the Vincent J. Robin IV for the Robin International Towing Company of Harvey, Louisiana.

The tug was later acquired by the Crescent Towing and Salvage Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. Where she was renamed as the Betty Smith.

In 1991, the tug was acquired by Sea Containers Incorporated of Hamilton, Bermuda. Where she was renamed as the Seaco Enterprise.

In 1997, she was acquired by the Bay Transportation Company of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Leo.

In 1998, Bay Transportation was acquired by Hvide Marine Incorporated of Tampa, Florida. Where the tug was renamed as the Ybor.

In 1999, the tug was acquired by Captain Arthur Fournier of the Portland Tugboat and Shipdocking Company of Portland, Maine. Where the tug was renamed as the Captain Sweet.

In 2001, the Portland Tugboat and Shipdocking Company was acquired by the McAllister Towing and Transportation Company of New York, New York. Where the tug was renamed as the Susan McAllister.

In 2015, she was chartered to the Great Lakes Towing Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Where the tug was renamed as the Michigan.

In 2017, the tug was acquired by Ryba Marine Construction Company of Cheboygan, Michigan. Where she was renamed as the Kristin Joelle.

Repowered in 2003, she is powered by two Caterpillar 3515 diesel engines. With Caterpillar reduction gears. Turning two 76(in) by 52(in) fixed pitch propellers. For a rated 2,400 horsepower.

Her electrical service is provided by one, 30kW generator set. And, a 50kW generator set. Both driven by Caterpillar D3111 diesel engines. Her capacities are 20,000 gallons of fuel oil, 900 gallons of lube oil and 2,400 gallons of potable water.

The towing equipment consists of a SMATCO C-32 towing winch. Equipped with 1,500(ft) of 1.25(in) towing wire. Driven by a single, four cylinder, Detroit Diesel, diesel engine.
(Paul Strubeck)


  • Vessel Name: MICHIGAN (1965)
  • USCG Doc. No.: 5000350
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 66040160
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDB3025
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 1938
  • Ship Builder: EQUITABLE EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.
  • Year Built: 1965
  • Length: 75.5
  • Hailing Port: CHEBOYGAN, MI.
  • Hull Depth: 8.6
  • Hull Breadth: 24
  • Gross Tonnage: 148
  • Net Tonnage: 70
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Vincent J. Robin IV, Betty Smith, SEACO ENTERPRISE, LEO, YBOR, Captain Sweet, SUSAN McALLISTER, MICHIGAN
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Robin International Towing Co., Crescent Towing and Salvage Co., Sea Containers, Inc., Bay Transportation Co., Hvide Marine Inc., Portland Tugboat and Shipdocking Co., MCALLISTER BROTHERS LLC.