Garth Foss, launched in 1993, is huge: 138′ x 46′ with 8000 hp and 80 tonnes of bollard pull. Robert Allan says of Garth and sister Lindsey, ““They were really the first true purpose-designed tanker escort tugs in the world.”
Pacific Pride, launched in 1976 and measuring 84′ x 28′ and 2500 hp, is now Panama-registered D Dog. She’s currently anchored off Callao Peru.
Next to her is Sirius, launched in 1974, 126′ x 38′ and 5750 hp, and currently laid up in Hawaii.
Guardian was launched in 1970, measuring 136′ x 37′ and 5750 hp, and is laid up. Gladiator dates from 1975, measures in at 129′ x 37′ and 7200 hp. She’s now Vanuatu-registered Resolve Gladiator, currently in the Irish Sea.
Over in Bremerton, I saw YTB 828 aka Catahecassa 101′ x 31′. She was launched in 1974 in Marinette WI. One source says that In 2013, she was sold to Basic Towing and renamed Gina. Basic does own YTB 827 Chetek now known as Nickelena. Of course, all of this could be out of date.
Western Ranger was launched in 1968 as Oio, a Hawaiian Pineapple, then Dole tugboat. In 1992 she came to Western Tugboat. She’s 101′ x 31′ and rated at 3420 hp. As of now, she’s on a run from Nome to Dutch Harbor.
Flyer was built in 1981. She’s all of 37′ x 16′ and 400 hp. Hornet was built in 1966 and the tape says 42′ x 14′ and 360 hp.
Pathfinder was launched in 1970, 136′ x 37′ and 5750 hp. Now she goes by Island Explorer and is off BC on a run from Seattle to Anchorage.
Valor was launched in 2007 and chartered to Crowley. She’s 93′ x 40′ and 6772 hp. Currently she’s in San Francisco Bay.
Andrew Foss was launched in 1982 as Andrew Foss, measuring in at 107′ x 38′ and 4290 hp.
The trip to the Seattle area in July 2010 produced lots of photos I posted here. Maybe I should get updates on more of the boats I saw there. I was invited to be there in August 2020 for a wedding, but like so many things . . . that’s not happening.
All photos, WVD.
tugster: a waterblog 
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July 28, 2020 at 11:43 pm
George Schneider
Maybe nobody’s commented on your YTB’s. YTB 828 was indeed was documented as GINA (1247922) for Basic Towing, but the last time I saw her, in late 2016, she was nested with some other idle tugs in Seattle. Some red had been painted on her bulwarks and stack, but otherwise she was untouched from her Navy days, and I”m sure the death of Mr. Kobacic means she’ll probably never work for that company. Basic Marine, however, is keeping her documents active. She’s currently classed as a yacht, I assume to keep the inspection requirements to a minimum.
NICKELENA’s documents also remain active.
July 31, 2020 at 7:23 am
Craig Lewis
Love all the retro photos, one note though, those are two invader class Crowley tugs. The forward one is the Guardsman not the Sea Swift class Guardian.
July 31, 2020 at 7:49 am
tugster
Craig– Thx for the correction. sometimes my eyes see what they want to see, not what’s really there.