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KEN BOOTHE SR.
Pictured as: the Ken Boothe Sr. (SeaJon Marine Company) Photo by: Jeff Thoreson

Built in 2011, by the DonJon Shipbuilding and Repair Company of Erie, Pennsylvania (hull #108) as the Ken Boothe Sr. for the SeaJon Marine Company of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The SeaJon Marine Company was a combined subsidy of the DonJon Marine Company Incorporated of Hillside, New Jersey. And, SeaBulk Towing Incorporated of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Named for the memory of the former shipyard manager at the Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair Company, where the unit was constructed The barge Lakes Contender was named by the builder, to commemorate its entry into the Great Lakes shipbuilding industry.

Powered by two, MAK 8M32C diesel engines. With Lufkin reduction gears, at a ratio of 4.55:1. Turning two, Berg, five bladed, 14(ft) by 6(in), variable pitch propellers. For a rated 10,800 horsepower.

Outfitted with a Hydracon coupler system, the unit was designed by the VanEnkevort Tug and Barge Company Escanaba, Michigan. And, was married with the 740(ft), self unloading barge, the Lakes Contender.

The tug's capacities are 97,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 81,000 gallons of ballast water, and 3,278 gallons of potable water. The tug's engines are configured to burn both heavy fuel oil, and conventional marine diesel fuel.

In 2012, the unit was chartered to the American Steamship Company New York, New York. Where the unit retained her name.

In 2017, the unit was acquired by the VanEnkevort Tug and Barge Company of Escanaba, Michigan. Where she was renamed as the Clyde S. VanEnkevort. And, her barge was renamed as the Erie Trader.
(Isaac Pennock, Jeff Thoreson)


  • Vessel Name: KEN BOOTHE SR.
  • USCG Doc. No.: 1232691
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise, Unrestricted Registry
  • Call Sign: WDF6728
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 108
  • Ship Builder: DONJON MARINE CO INC
  • Year Built: 2011
  • Length: 129.9
  • Hailing Port: ERIE, PA.
  • Hull Depth: 26
  • Hull Breadth: 50
  • Gross Tonnage: 1250
  • Net Tonnage: 832
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    KEN BOOTHE SR.
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC, SEAJON LLC