Tug Vane Brothers

The model-bow tug Vane Brothers was designed and built by St. Charles Steel Company in Thibodaux, Louisiana in 1981. She measures 77’ long, 26’ abeam, and 12’ deep. Carrying two Cummins KTA 38 main engines, she was Vane’s first “nozzle” boat. Vane purchased her in 1995 and shortly thereafter, Port Captain James A. Demske installed an upper wheelhouse. In May 2004 she was completely refurbished. In addition to shipyard work, her main engines were overhauled and her tow machine engine was replaced. She currently features the latest in electronic navigation equipment including NOAA electronic charting, single side band radio, an automatic identification system (AIS), global positioning system and gyro-compass. The Vane Brothers operates primarily in the lower Chesapeake Bay and the Ports of Virginia.