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CRUSADER
Pictured as: the Guardian (Cape Cod Canal Towing LLC.) Photo by: Birk Thomas

Built in 1968, by Gulfport Shipbuilding Incorporated of Port Arthur, Texas (hull #716) as the Crusader for the Red Star Towing Company Incorporated of New York, New York.

The tug was later chartered to Ira S. Bushey and Sons Incorporated of New York, New York. Where the tug retained her name. Although after a brief period, she was returned to Red Star Towing Company Incorporated of New York, New York.

In 1977, the Red Star Towing Company was acquired by the Hess Oil Corporation of New York, New York. To form the Spentonbush-Red Star Companies of Brooklyn, New York. Where the tug retained her name.

In 1989, the Spentonbush-Red Star Companies were acquired the Hess Oil Corporation of New York, New York. Establishing the Hess Oil Corporation's marine division.

In 1988, the tug was struck, and "tripped" by the barge she was towing while outbound the Raritan River near Sandy Hook, New Jersey and sunk. She was raised, and towed to the Hess Oil Corporation's dock in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

In 1995, she was acquired by the Gateway Towing Company Incorporated of New Haven, Connecticut. Where she was renamed as the Lyman Smith. And, she was completely rebuilt at the Thames Shipyard and Repair Company in New London, Connecticut.

In 1996, the tug entered service for the Gateway Towing Company Incorporated. Where she was renamed as the Lyman.

In 2020, the Gateway Towing Company ceased operating towing vessels. And she was acquired by Cape Cod Canal Towing LLC. of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Where the tug was renamed as the Guardian.

In 2020, the tug was "laid up" at Fall River, Massachusetts.

Originally powered by two, Fairbanks diesel engines for a rated 4,000 horsepower. In 1995, she was repowered with two, Caterpillar 3606 diesel engines. With Lufkin RHS 3620 reduction gears, at a ratio of 4.53:1. Turning two, 108(in) by 104(in), fixed pitch, four bladed, stainless steel, Kahlenberg propellers. She is a twin screw tug, rated at 4,600 horsepower.
(Captain Christopher Roehrig, Captain Bill Brucato, Captain Brian Fournier, Robert Silva)


  • Vessel Name: CRUSADER
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0517709
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • IMO Number: 08424616
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Call Sign: WDL9753
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 716
  • Ship Builder: GULFPORT SHIPBUILDING CORPORATION
  • Year Built: 1968
  • Length: 102.7
  • Hailing Port: NEW BEDFORD, MA.
  • Hull Depth: 17
  • Hull Breadth: 28.5
  • Gross Tonnage: 281
  • Net Tonnage: 23
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    CRUSADER, LYMAN SMITH, LYMAN, GUARDIAN
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Ira S. Bushey and Sons Inc., Red Star Towing Co. Inc., Spentonbush-Red Star Co. Inc., Hess Oil Corp., G T 102 INC