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MELINDA BRENT
Pictured as: the Melinda Brent (Kirby Corporation) Photo by: Captain Ted

Built in 1980, by Superior Boat Works Incorporated of Greenville, Mississippi (hull #147) as the Melinda Brent for the Brent Towing Company Incorporated of Greenville, Mississippi.

In 1998, the tug was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas. Where she retained her name.

In 2020, she was phased out of service and was "laid up" at Waverly, Kansas.

In 2021, the tug was acquired by the W.A. Ellis Construction Company of Independence, Missouri. Where she was renamed as the Sonny K.

Repowered in 2007, she is driven by two Cummins KTA38 diesel engines. With Twin Disc reduction gears, at a ratio of 6.18:1. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 2,000 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: MELINDA BRENT
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0629852
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Call Sign: WDC2606
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 147
  • Ship Builder: Superior Boat Works
  • Year Built: 1980
  • Length: 81.1
  • Hailing Port: INDEPENDENCE, MO.
  • Hull Depth: 9.2
  • Hull Breadth: 27.3
  • Gross Tonnage: 92
  • Net Tonnage: 62
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    MELINDA BRENT, SONNY K.
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Brent Transportation Co., KIRBY INLAND MARINE LP