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BIG SAM

Towing Vessel · Built 1970s · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H)

BIG SAM is a 1974 towing vessel. The Coast Guard has recorded 33 inspections since 1992, most recently in December 2023, along with 10 deficiencies, 1 operational control and 5 casualty investigations between 2002 and 2018.

Records from 1992 to 2023. Most recent: inspection, 14 December 2023.

Built
1974
Last inspected
14 December 2023
Documentation
Valid · documentation file of 10 August 2026
Inspections
33
Deficiencies
10 recorded · 0 without a recorded resolution
Controls
None recorded without a removal date
Casualties
5 investigations · 2002–2018
Inspected with
14 other vessels

This record may be incomplete: the most recent inspection recorded for this vessel was 3 years ago. Maury shows what the Coast Guard recorded, not whether the vessel has been inspected since, is still in service, or what condition it is in. 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.

Inspection record

Last inspected 14 December 2023
Recorded inspections33
…physical examinations11
…administrative events4
…with no type recorded18
Deficiencies 10 recorded · 0 without a recorded resolution
Operational controls None recorded without a removal date
Years with a record 19 calendar years (1992–2023)
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.

Identity

US Official No.
559350
IMO number
—
Call sign
WDF2961
MISLE id
130323
Flag
UNITED STATES
Maury page id
psix-130323

Documentation record

Registered dimensions (L × B × D)72.0 ft × 24.0 ft × 10.2 ft
Registered tonnagegross 118 / net 94
ITC dimensions (L × B × D)Not recorded
ITC tonnageNot recorded
BuilderF B WALKER & SONS INC · PASCAGOULA, MS, UNITED STATES · built 1974
Hull materialSteel
PropulsionDiesel Reduction
Hull shapeShip
Hull configurationMonohull
Hailing portNEW ORLEANS, LA
Trade endorsementsCoastwise, unrestricted
DocumentationValid · issued 30 July 2026 · expires 31 July 2027
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 it118 - Displacement, Ton
118 - Simplified, Gross Ton
94 - Simplified, Net 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.

Read one first, in full: a forty-year chronology · a hull that changed operators four times · the sparse case, shown as an example, not for sale.

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.

Inspected as a tow unit · 14

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.

MICHELLE K Towing Vessel · MISLE 137852 · 9 May 2013 · activity 4603716DARI LYNN Towing Vessel · MISLE 142925 · 9 May 2013 · activity 4603716JOHN W. STONE Towing Vessel · MISLE 167243 · 9 May 2013 · activity 4603716RAZORBACK Towing Vessel · MISLE 246099 · 9 May 2013 · activity 4603716AGS 692 Freight Barge · MISLE 38797 · 10 October 2002 · activity 1704433CREOLE LADY Towing Vessel · MISLE 94195 · 10 October 2002 · activity 1704433SMS 30204 Tank Barge · MISLE 403179 · 10 October 2002 · activity 1704433ML 706B Freight Barge · MISLE 163243 · 24 March 1999 · activity 96967CGB 118 Freight Barge · MISLE 169802 · 24 March 1999 · activity 96967RBZ 10 Freight Barge · MISLE 173860 · 24 March 1999 · activity 96967KIRBY 18025 Tank Barge · MISLE 48633 · 28 January 1993 · activity 149118IB 923 Tank Barge · MISLE 41436 · 24 January 1993 · activity 106689KIRBY 27907 Tank Barge · MISLE 45304 · 18 January 1993 · activity 54852MAX A. FLETCHER Towing Vessel · MISLE 94663 · 18 January 1993 · activity 54852

Inspection history · 33

14 December 2023 TPO Audit
Administrative · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 7847019
16 October 2023 COI Inspection
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 7800294
5 December 2022 Administrative Inspection
Administrative · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 7604547
9 December 2021 Annual Inspection · MTSA Verification
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 7353788
3 June 2021 Annual Inspection
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 7214336
7 October 2019 Annual Inspection
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6819231
23 July 2018 Initial Certification
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6514001
30 June 2018 Damage Survey
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6465733
17 March 2018 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6385277
8 May 2017 MTSA Verification · Industry Initiated Exam
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6139093
17 October 2013 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4736145
17 October 2013 Damage Survey
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4736245
9 May 2013 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4603716
12 February 2013 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4548398
19 December 2012 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Station New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4505514
27 September 2012 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Station New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4452049
9 August 2011 DAPI Audit · MTSA Verification · Deficiency Check · Industry Initiated Exam
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 4110449
14 November 2008 Administration
Administrative · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 3363202
8 September 2006 Annual Inspection
Physical examination · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 2773314
8 September 2006 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 2773356
13 May 2005 Administrative Inspection
Administrative · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 2356984
19 August 2003 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 1880982
10 October 2002 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 1704433
12 August 2001 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Station New Orleans · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 1522485
24 March 1999 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 96967
18 October 1995 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 758749
17 October 1995 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 206282
20 October 1993 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 123146
28 January 1993 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO MORGAN CITY · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 149118
24 January 1993 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 106689
18 January 1993 Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 54852
18 January 1993 Damage Survey
Physical examination · MSO NEW ORLEANS · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 826577
4 October 1992 Type not recorded
No type recorded · Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 109502

Deficiency record · 10

07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Fire fighting equipment and appliances
Issued 9 December 2021 Resolved
All portable fire extinguishers, semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems, fire-detection systems, and fixed fire-extinguishing systems, including ventilation, machinery shutdowns, and fixed fire-extinguishing system pressure-operated dampers on board the vessel, must be inspected or tested at least once every 12 months. No record of testing of fire extinguishers onboard within the past 12 months. 46 CFR 142.240(a)
Action required: 60 - Rectify deficiencies prior to movement
Resolved 16 December 2021
Resolution: The fire-fighting equipment servicing company attended the vessel inspected all fire extinguishers.
11 - Life Saving Appliances › N/A - No Subsystem › Distress flares
Issued 9 December 2021 Resolved
A towing vessel must carry a combination of day and night visual distress signals indicated in Table 141.370 for specified areas where vessel operates. Flares onboard had exceeded the expiration date. 46 CFR 141.375(a)
Action required: 60 - Rectify deficiencies prior to movement
Resolved 16 December 2021
Resolution: New flares were purchased and placed onboard.
07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Oil accumulation in engine room
Issued 9 December 2021 Resolved
All bilges and void spaces are kept free from accumulation of combustible and flammable materials and liquids insofar as practicable. Excessive oil in engine room bilge. 46 CFR 142.220(a)
Action required: 17 - Rectify deficiencies prior to departure
Resolved 16 December 2021
Resolution: A third party cleaning service was hired and removed oily bilge water from the engine room.
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Propulsion main engine
Issued 9 December 2021 Resolved
The following systems must be equipped with gauges at the machinery location: Main engine cooling water temperature. Port main engine cooling water temp gauge was inoperable. 46 CFR 143.230(c)(2)
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Resolved 16 December 2021
Resolution: Relay and water temp gauge found broken and were replaced. Technician ran engine and verified gauge was operating properly.
07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Means of escape
Issued 9 December 2021 Resolved
Each escape hatch and emergency exit used as means of escape must be marked on both sides in clearly legible letters at least 50 millimeters (2 inches) high: “EMERGENCY EXIT, KEEP CLEAR”. Emergency exits not labeled. 46 CFR 144.160(f)
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Resolved 16 December 2021
Resolution: "Emergency Exit - Keep Clear" signs were posted on the main deck doors.
01 - Certificates & Documentation › 011 - Ships Certificates › Certificate of Inspection (COI)
Issued 21 June 2021 Resolved
After a towing vessel receives its initial COI, the OCMI will inspect a towing vessel subject to this subchapter located in his or her jurisdiction at least once every 5 years. Vessel exceeded anniversary date of COI by over 6 months.
Action required: 10 - Deficiency Rectified
Resolved 21 June 2021
09 - Working and Living Conditions › 092 - Working Conditions › Other (accident prevention)
Issued 21 June 2021 Resolved
Individuals, who are not crewmembers, on board a towing vessel must receive a safety orientation prior to getting underway or as soon as practicable thereafter. Crew was unaware or required non-crewmember safety orientation and could not locate it in Health and Safety Plan.
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Resolved 13 August 2021
Resolution: Safety orientation added to TVR
05 - Radio Communications › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (radio communication)
Issued 21 June 2021 Resolved
All towing vessels must have at least one properly operating handheld VHF-FM radio in addition to the radios otherwise required. Vessel had no handheld VHF radios on board.
Action required: 17 - Rectify deficiencies prior to departure
Resolved 13 August 2021
Resolution: VHF radio placed on board
01 - Certificates & Documentation › 013 - Documents › Log-books/compulsory entries
Issued 21 June 2021 Resolved
A towing vessel subject to this section must maintain a TVR. Towing Vessel Record was missing all maintenance, training, and personnel orientation entries for the past year.
Action required: 705 - Other - as specified
Due 20 August 2021
Resolved 13 August 2021
Resolution: Vessel maintenance log book added to vessel TVR
10 - Safety of Navigation › N/A - No Subsystem › Bridge operation
Issued 3 June 2021 Resolved
Each towing vessel must comply with the requirements of part 4 of this chapter for reporting marine casualties and retaining voyage records. Master of vessel was unaware of reporting requirements for marine casualty. Provide training to crew and log in TVR.
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Resolved 13 August 2021
Resolution: Master of vessel for inspection reviewed with shore side personnel marine casualty definitions and actions required list in the TMS on board the vessel. Master was also provided with 46 CFR 4.03-1, 4.03-2 and 4.05-1 cites for additional training material.

Casualty record · 5

10 October 2002Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 1704433
19 August 2003Routine · role: Moored/Anchored in Vicinity of Primary Subject · 1 dead · activity 1880982
9 May 2013Routine · role: Moored/Anchored in Vicinity of Primary Subject · activity 4603716
17 October 2013Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · serious marine incident, as classified · activity 4736145
17 March 2018Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 6385277
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.

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.