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POLAR SEA
Pictured as: the Galene (Victor Suttmeier) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1943 by Northeast Shipbuilding Incorporated of Quincy, Massachusetts (hull #LT 464) as the LT-464 for the United States Army.

In 1955, the tug was acquired by Alaska Freight Lines Incorporated of Seattle, Washington. Where she was renamed as the Richard.

In 1975, she was acquired by Northland Services Incorporated of Seattle, Washington. Where the tug was renamed as the Polar Sea.

In 2000, the tug was acquired by an individual from Beaverton, Oregon. Where she was renamed as the Galene. She has since passed through the hands of other private owners and is now used as a liveaboard in Seattle, Washington.

Powered by a single, Superior, direct reversing diesel engine. Turning a single fixed pitch propeller. She is a single screw tug, rated at 1,200 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: POLAR SEA
  • USCG Doc. No.: 269629
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 5370345
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Recreational, Registry
  • Call Sign: WG4865
  • Hull Material: WOOD
  • Ship Builder: NORTHEAST SHIPBUILDING
  • Year Built: 1943
  • Length: 116.9
  • Hailing Port: PORTLAND, OR
  • Hull Depth: 13
  • Hull Breadth: 28
  • Gross Tonnage: 268
  • Net Tonnage: 119
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    LT-464, Richard, Polar Sea
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    United States Army, Alaska Freight Lines Inc., Northland Services Inc., E.A. Kehagiaras, William R. Grosz