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CHIEF
Pictured as: the Island Chief (Island Tug and Barge) Photo by: Kyle Stubbs

Built in 1963, by Luby J. Guidry of Houma, Louisana as the Roy Pierron for Gulf Coast Transportation Incorporated of Houma, Louisiana.

The tug was later acquired by the Columbia-Pacific Towing Corporation of Portland, Oregon. Where she was renamed as the Houmas.

In 1971, she was acquired by the Knappton Towboat Company of Astoria, Oregon. Where the tug was renamed as Chief.

In 1988, the Knappton Towboat Company became the Brix Maritime Company of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1993, the Brix Maritime Company was acquired by Foss Maritime of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1998, the tug was acquired by Sea Coast Towing Company of Seattle, Washington. Where she retained her name.

In 2005, she was acquired by Island Tug and Barge Company of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug was renamed as the Island Chief.

Rebuilt in 2011, she is powered by two, Tier II compliant, Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesel engines. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 1,800 horsepower.
(Kyle Stubbs, Captain Russell Shrewsbury)


  • Vessel Name: CHIEF
  • USCG Doc. No.: 290759
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 7619953
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDA7043
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Ship Builder: LUBY J. GUIDRY
  • Year Built: 1963
  • Length: 71
  • Hailing Port: SEATTLE, WA.
  • Hull Depth: 9.7
  • Hull Breadth: 23.6
  • Gross Tonnage: 122
  • Net Tonnage: 83
  • Owner:
    ERIK ELLEFSEN
    3546 WEST MARGINAL WAY SW
    SEATTLE, WA
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Roy Pierron, Houmas, Chief, Island Chief
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Gulf Coast Transportation Inc., Columbia-Pacific Towing Corp., Knappton Towboat Co., Brix Maritime Co, Foss Maritime Co., Sea Coast Towing Inc., ISLAND TUG AND BARGE CO, ISLAND TUG AND BARGE CO, ERIK ELLEFSEN, ERIK ELLEFSEN, ERIK ELLEFSEN, ERIK ELLEFSEN, ERIK ELLEFSEN, ERIK ELLEFSEN