DEFENDER is a 1976 towing vessel. The Coast Guard has recorded 55 inspections since 1994, most recently in July 2026, along with 5 deficiencies, 2 operational controls and 12 casualty investigations between 2006 and 2026.
Records from 1994 to 2026. Most recent: inspection, 9 July 2026.
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.
The counts in the strip above are the same counts; this table splits the inspections by
the kind of activity 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.
Documentation record
Registered dimensions (L × B × D)128.6 ft × 36.5 ft × 19.2 ft
Registered tonnagegross 199 / net 135
ITC dimensions (L × B × D)128.6 ft × 36.5 ft × 19.2 ft
ITC tonnagegross 538 / net 161
BuilderMCDERMOTT SHIPYARD · AMELIA, LA, UNITED STATES · built 1976
DocumentationValid · issued 13 November 2025 · expires 31 December 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 it538 - Convention (Subpart B), Gross Ton 199 - Regulatory (Subpart C or D), Gross Ton 161 - Convention (Subpart B), Net Ton 135 - Regulatory (Subpart C or D), 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
What it gives that this page does not: the whole record in one
dated, citable document — every line with its Coast Guard activity id, the retrieval
date on the cover, built to print to PDF with its page breaks — that a surveyor can
attach and a lender can file. The same facts as this page, complete and in one file.
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.
A request, not a checkout: leave an email and Maury replies once, with
the dated document for this hull and a Stripe invoice for $299. Nothing is charged before
the document is in your hands.
Used only to answer this request.
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.
Machinery and electrical systems must be designed and maintained to provide for safe operation of the towing vessel and safety of persons onboard under normal and emergency conditions. The crew of each towing vessel must demonstrate the ability to operate the primary and auxiliary machinery and electrical systems for which they are responsible, and to do so under normal and emergency conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, responses to alarms and restoration of propulsion and steering in the event of failure. Vessel reported loss of steering during transit. Provide report of root cause for steering loss, how was restored, and how steering will be permanently fixed, in accordance with TSMS program requirement.
46 CFR 143.205 (a)&(b)
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 6 November 2025
Resolved 29 October 2025
Resolution: Provided report. See attached documents
Prior to getting underway, the master or officer in charge of a navigational watch of the vessel must examine and test the steering gear. The results of the examination and testing must be recorded in the TVR, official logbook, or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel. Provide evidence of previous recorded testings of the steering gear.
46 CFR 140.615 (b)&(c)
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 6 November 2025
Resolved 29 October 2025
Resolution: Provided logbooks. See documents
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Propulsion main engine
Issued 16 July 2025Resolved
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. Vessel reported a lube oil leak on the starboard MDE. Vessel is restricted from commercial operations until cleared with TPO and receipt from bilge cleaning company is received by our office.
Condition: Invalid
Action required: 705 - Other - as specified
Due 22 July 2025
Resolved 22 July 2025
Resolution: Vessel provided receipts from Miller Environmental Group for bilge cleaning
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (machinery)
Issued 7 March 2021Resolved
MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS MUST BE DESIGNED AND MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THE TOWING VESSEL; VESSEL'S MASTER REPORTED LOSS OF RUDDER CONTROL USING STBD PUMP.
Action required: 16 - Rectify deficiencies w/in 14 days
Due 21 March 2021
Resolved 10 March 2021
Resolution: Received TPO report stating that faulty limit switch was replaced and vessel's steering system is tested sat
Engineering › Steering Gear System › Motor
Issued 30 December 2008Resolved
port steering pump failure while entering port of san juan. Vessel to check and repair prior to departure.
Condition: Unknown
Action required: 17 - Rectify deficiencies prior to departure
Resolved 2 January 2009
Resolution: port steering electrical motor replaced
27 March 2006Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 2615165
24 December 2008Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 3404036
17 December 2011Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 4213224
15 July 2012Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · serious marine incident, as classified · 1 injured · activity 4383587
19 January 2013Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · serious marine incident, as classified · 3 injured · activity 4524525
13 May 2013Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 4596293
2 August 2013Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 4739246
26 June 2017Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 6205361
11 July 2018Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 6476730
7 March 2021Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 7197992
24 August 2024Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 7996033
20 March 2026Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 8340874
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.