Charlene Hunt and Kirsten Grace

The 1880 bhp tug Kirsten Grace (ex Marquita-93, Boo Cenac -89) sailed from St.John's June 7 towing the beleaguered tug Charlene Hunt bound south, presumably for Boston. Charlene Hunt had been detained in St.John's since losing her tow Lyubov Orlova. The defects found by Transport Canada were apparently serious enough that the tug could not sail again on her own. (How she was allowed to sail with a tow is a big question-still unanswered).

Kirsten Grace was built in 1981 by the Cenac Shipyard in the deep south, and is a typical clean lined southern US tug. My only photo was taken when she had her odd original name and colour scheme. Recent photos on line show her with all white superstructure, blue trim and spray bulwark and blue funnel. A white "D" on her funnel originally denoted Dana Marine, but current owners are listed as Hansen-Dreijer Marine Enterprises Inc of Theodore, AB. The tug has worked off and on in the Boston area for many years, but has been all over the US east coast. I think this is the first time she has ventured this far north however.As she is now heading into a tropical storm as it heads for Newfoundland, I hope she is well battened down and wish them all a safe trip.