EASTERN BRANCH is a 1971 towing vessel. The Coast Guard has recorded 31 inspections since 1994, most recently in October 2025, along with 13 deficiencies and 2 casualty investigations between 2007 and 2017.
Records from 1994 to 2025. Most recent: inspection, 22 October 2025.
Coast Guard record current through 23 August 2026, retrieved 5 September 2026 from PSIX. Every field on this page was recorded by the Coast Guard. Records for the Towing Vessel class in Maury's sources begin in 1980.
Every line above is a count of records the US Coast Guard wrote, or a date it recorded.
A blank resolution means none was recorded in this data; it does not establish that a
deficiency is outstanding. Years with a record are calendar years in which a record
exists, not years in service. What Maury does
not do.
Registered dimensions (L × B × D)64.0 ft × 25.2 ft × 7.7 ft
Registered tonnagegross 142 / net 96
ITC dimensions (L × B × D)Not recorded
ITC tonnageNot recorded
BuilderATLANTIC MARINE INC · FT GEORGE ISLAND, FL, UNITED STATES · built 1971
Hull materialSteel
PropulsionDiesel Direct
Hull shapeUNSPECIFIED
Hull configurationUNSPECIFIED
Hailing portPORTSMOUTH, VA
Trade endorsementsCoastwise, unrestricted
DocumentationValid · issued 28 August 2025 · expires 31 August 2026
Service, as the file records itTowing Vessel
Hull formpowered (Maury's inference from propulsion, hull shape, material and length, rule hf-1; not a recorded fact)
Tonnage as PSIX records it96 - Regulatory (Subpart C or D), Net Ton 142 - Regulatory (Subpart C or D), Gross Ton
Every line above is a field of the National Vessel Documentation Center's file as served by NOAA Fisheries, dated 10 August 2026, matched to this hull on its Official Number. Registered and ITC measurements are two systems and are never combined. One snapshot is held so far; documentation history begins with the next.
Vessel history report
Every record for this hull, in one document — $299
Every recorded inspection, 1980 to
2026 for this class, in one chronology · every deficiency, with system, dates
and resolution · operational controls imposed and removed · every name this
hull has been recorded under · the vessels it was inspected alongside, and when
· how its record compares with hulls of similar age and size, as a fact about the
population and never a judgement about this vessel.
This report is in development and is not for sale yet. There is
no date, and nothing is charged. Leave an email and we will tell you when it exists, once.
Used only to tell you when the report exists.
Not shared, not sold, and not added to a mailing list.
The Coast Guard recorded this vessel and the following in the same
inspection activity — normally a tug and the barges in its tow. A recreational or
unclassed hull in the same activity is held and not published, so it does not appear
here: these lists are a floor, not a complete manifest.
07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Fire fighting equipment and appliances
Issued 27 October 2025Resolved
A 40-B portable fire extinguisher must be located near the storage room or cabinet. This is in addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by tables 142.230(a) and 142.230(b) of this part.
MI observed vsl did not have a 40-B near the paint locker that was in addition to the required quantity.
46 CFR 142.225(a)(b)
Condition: Improper Installation
Action required: 50 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 30 days
Due 26 November 2025
Resolved 21 November 2025
Resolution: O/O emailed pictures to rectify def
07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Ventilation
Issued 22 October 2025Resolved
Means must be provided for stopping each fan in a ventilation system serving machinery spaces and for closing, in case of fire, each doorway, ventilator, and annular space around funnels and other openings into such spaces.
MI observed port aft ventilation on deck was unable to secure.
46 CFR 144.605
Condition: Design Flaw
Action required: 50 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 30 days
Due 26 November 2025
Resolved 21 November 2025
Resolution: O/O emailed pictures to rectify def
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Propulsion main engine
Issued 22 October 2025Resolved
Propulsion machinery, including main engines, reduction gears, shafting, bearings, and electrical equipment and systems, must Be maintained to ensure proper operation.
MI observed exhaust leak on stbd main engine.
46 CFR 143.205(c)(1)
Condition: Improper Installation
Action required: 50 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 30 days
Due 26 November 2025
Resolved 30 October 2025
Resolution: Vessel repaired failed turbo exhaust gasket.
99 - Other › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (Safety in general)
Issued 11 March 2025Resolved
The owner of a vessel subject to inspection under section 3301 shall-
(1) ensure that such vessel is equipped with a vessel master key control system, manual or electronic, which provides controlled access to all copies of the vessel's master key of which access shall only be available to the individuals described in paragraph (2);
(2) establish a list of all crew, identified by position, allowed to access and use the master key and maintain such list upon the vessel, within owner records and included in the vessel safety management system;
(3) record in a log book information on all access and use of the vessel's master key, including-
(A) dates and times of access;
(B) the room or location accessed; and
(C) the name and rank of the crew member that used the master key; and(4) make the list under paragraph (2) and the log book under paragraph (3) available upon request to any agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, any member of the Coast Guard, and any law enforcement officer performing official duties in the course and scope of an investigation. Vsl has no Master Key,
identified crew, or logbook.
Condition: Invalid
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 25 March 2025
Resolved 24 March 2025
Resolution: vessel has provided proof of key control system.
A towing vessel may not be operated without having onboard a valid COI issued by the Coast Guard as required by 136.202. Vessel has invalid COI due to expired annual inspection.
Condition: Invalid
Action required: 60 - Rectify deficiencies prior to movement
Due 25 February 2025
Resolved 11 March 2025
Resolution: Vessel has completed annual exam.
99 - Other › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (Safety in general)
Issued 25 February 2025Resolved
Each crew berthing area shall be equipped with information regarding A) vessel owner or company policies prohibiting sexual assault and sexual harassment, retaliation, and drug and alcohol usage; and
(B) procedures and resources to report crimes, including sexual assault and sexual harassment. Vsl does not have required information posted.
Condition: Invalid
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 25 March 2025
Resolved 24 March 2025
Resolution: Vessel has provided proof of SASH information being posted in crew berthing
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (machinery)
Issued 15 November 2023Resolved
Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons on board under normal and emergency conditions. Hard fuel lines on both engines were installed with broken supports, total of 12 supports broken between port and stbd MDE. MI observed fuel lines above port main engines that have a missing support bracket allowing them to touch.
Condition: Improper Installation
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 29 November 2023
Resolved 28 November 2023
Resolution: Fuel line support brackets were replaced.
Each vessel fitted with installed bulwarks around exterior of the main deck must have sufficient freeing ports and scuppers or a combination of freeing ports and scuppers to allow water to run off the deck quickly without adversely affecting the stability of the vessel. The E/R overhead had a rusted through penetration that allowed water to drip inside the space compromising watertight integrity.
Condition: Improper/Lack of Maintenance
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 29 November 2023
Resolved 28 November 2023
Resolution: Overhead/deck cropped and renewed, verified NDT.
14 - Pollution Prevention › 144 - MARPOL Annex IV (Not Applicable to PSC Exams conducted in the U.S.) › Other (MARPOL Annex IV)
Issued 15 November 2023Resolved
Marine sanitation device vents must be designed and constructed to minimize clogging by either the contents of the tank or climatic conditions such as snow or ice. MI observed broken MSD vent pipe.
Condition: Improper Installation
Action required: 10 - Deficiency Rectified
Due 15 November 2023
Resolved 15 November 2023
Resolution: Crew member re-attached MSD vent.
46CFR143.245(b)
Each towing vessel must perform the applicable tests in table 143.245(b) of this section. Vessel currently has not tested low lubricating oil pressure and high cooling water temperature for both M/E's and both ship service generators.
Action required: 50 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 30 days
Due 24 December 2021
Resolved 21 December 2021
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Gauges, thermometers, etc
Issued 24 November 2021Resolved
46CFR143.230(c)(1)
The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location: main engine RPM. Vessel is not fitted with RPM gauges on M/E's.
Action required: 50 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 30 days
Due 24 December 2021
Resolved 17 December 2021
03 - Water/Weathertight Conditions › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (load lines)
Issued 24 November 2021Resolved
46CFR140.610(b)
The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be weather tight or water tight function properly. Vessel has a hole in the coaming forepeak hatch.
Action required: 50 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 30 days
Due 24 December 2021
Resolved 21 December 2021
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (machinery)
Issued 24 November 2021Resolved
46CFR143.300
Relief valves must be tested in accordance with 143.245. Vessel can not verify that pressure relief valve on air receiver has been tested.
Action required: 10 - Deficiency Rectified
Resolved 24 November 2021
Resolution: Ships crew replaced safety relief valve with the appropriate MAWP and tested in the presence of the marine inspector.
18 May 2007Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 3050895
9 January 2017Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 6150363
Each line is an incident investigation the Coast Guard recorded with this hull among the vessels involved, with the date and the classification the Coast Guard gave it. Involvement is not fault. The investigation narrative is not published. Source: IIR, through 2026.
Recorded names · 1
SUN CHIEF (2007–2017). Names as the Coast Guard recorded them in incident records, with the years they appear; some are renames and some are spelling variants.
Ownership record
The Coast Guard's documentation record for this hull -- the Abstract of Title,
with its owners and liens as filed -- is not in PSIX. Ask, and Maury buys it from the National
Vessel Documentation Center, files it here with its date, and every reader of this page gets it.