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HELEN H
HELEN H is a 1967 towing vessel. The Coast Guard has recorded 49 inspections since 1992, most recently in July 2026, along with 24 deficiencies, 2 operational controls and 4 casualty investigations between 2005 and 2009.
Records from 1992 to 2026. Most recent: inspection, 9 July 2026.
- Built
- 1967
- Last inspected
- 9 July 2026
- Documentation
- Valid · documentation file of 10 August 2026
- Deficiencies
- 24 recorded · 0 without a recorded resolution
- Controls
- None recorded without a removal date
- Casualties
- 4 investigations · 2005–2009
Identity
511829
8624670
WPD6658
94973
Flag
UNITED STATES
Maury page id
psix-94973
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.
Inspections, by type
…with no type recorded37
Years with a record
22 calendar years (1992–2026)
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)82.3 ft × 26.8 ft × 10.5 ft
Registered tonnagegross 138 / net 94
ITC dimensions (L × B × D)Not recorded
ITC tonnageNot recorded
BuilderBLUDWORTH SHIPYARD INC · HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES · built 1967
Hull materialSteel
PropulsionDiesel Reduction
Hull shapeUNSPECIFIED
Hull configurationUNSPECIFIED
Hailing portKNIFE RIVER, MN
Trade endorsementsCoastwise, unrestricted
DocumentationValid · issued 8 April 2026 · expires 31 May 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 it138 - Regulatory (Subpart C or D), Gross Ton
94 - Regulatory (Subpart C or D), Net Ton
94 - 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.
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.
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.
Inspected as a tow unit · 11
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.
J. E. COLOMBE Towing Vessel · MISLE 449703 · 18 October 2020 · activity 7079984UNNAMED BARGE Freight Barge · MISLE 1644697 · 18 October 2020 · activity 7079984MARS Towing Vessel · MISLE 94042 · 14 September 2009 · activity 3596518JOE DERBAS Towing Vessel · MISLE 124022 · 17 March 2008 · activity 3179008C. R. HADEN Towing Vessel · MISLE 147173 · 29 November 2007 · activity 3108862ENGINEER Towing Vessel · MISLE 168062 · 20 October 1999 · activity 79905FRANCES E. HADEN Towing Vessel · MISLE 93176 · 17 June 1998 · activity 147431RODERICK MCALLISTER Towing Vessel · MISLE 94623 · 17 June 1994 · activity 168851DON D Freight Barge · MISLE 49995 · 30 April 1993 · activity 115956CROSBY EAGLE Towing Vessel · MISLE 103082 · 30 April 1993 · activity 115956BOCA DEL DRAGO Towing Vessel · MISLE 94612 · 29 September 1992 · activity 90056Inspection history · 49
9 July 2026
Annual Inspection · Administrative Inspection
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 8433995
28 April 2025
Administrative Inspection · COI Inspection · Deficiency Check · DAPI Audit
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 8113907
8 April 2025
Administrative Inspection
Administrative · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 8108079
25 October 2023
Annual Inspection · Deficiency Check
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 7813561
11 September 2022
Deficiency Check
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 7558787
3 August 2022
Deficiency Check · Examination of Repairs · Administrative Inspection
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 7523709
13 July 2022
Administrative Inspection
Administrative · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 7505598
23 November 2021
Initial Certification · Internal Structural Exam
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 7356971
18 October 2020
Type not recorded
No type recorded · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 7079984
17 October 2018
Examination of Repairs
Physical examination · Sector Northern Great Lakes · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 6574882
4 September 2013
Deficiency Check
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 4705458
28 August 2013
Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector Northern Great Lakes · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 4698879
15 April 2013
Spot Check (Safety) · Hawser Check
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 4569344
1 August 2012
Industry Initiated Exam
Physical examination · Marine Safety Unit Duluth · USCG Great Lakes District (CGD-GL) · Activity 4543161
14 September 2009
Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector Houston/Galveston · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 3596518
17 March 2008
Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector Houston/Galveston · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 3179008
29 November 2007
Type not recorded
No type recorded · Sector Houston/Galveston · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 3108862
9 October 2005
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 2516347
18 December 2000
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 286084
21 November 2000
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 187047
14 August 2000
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 72859
10 January 2000
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 188484
3 December 1999
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 24356
20 October 1999
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 79905
13 October 1999
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 127449
29 June 1999
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6838
21 April 1999
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 112993
12 March 1999
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 167400
5 October 1998
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 134955
4 October 1998
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 177083
23 July 1998
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 180100
17 June 1998
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 147431
20 November 1997
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 65935
26 October 1997
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 28359
26 September 1997
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 32934
11 September 1997
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 84890
5 December 1996
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 6618
17 October 1996
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 55019
21 September 1996
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 37579
6 July 1996
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 91325
14 May 1996
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 123198
12 February 1996
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSU GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 117147
9 September 1995
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 48685
9 May 1995
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 101411
3 November 1994
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 183465
17 June 1994
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 168851
30 April 1993
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 115956
2 November 1992
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 163240
29 September 1992
Type not recorded
No type recorded · MSO HOUSTON/GALVESTON · USCG Heartland District (CGD-H) · Activity 90056
Deficiency record · 24
99 - Other › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (Safety in general)
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Marine employer must have sufficient number of alcohol testing devices readily available on board; all alcohol testing strips were expired.
46 CFR 4.06-15(a)(1)
01 - Certificates & Documentation › 013 - Documents › Log-books/compulsory entries
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Items listed in 46 CFR 140.915 must be recorded in Towing Vessel Record, official logbook or in accordance with the TSMS applicable to the vessel; official logbook did not include all items required to be listed. To be cleared at next topside inspection.
46 CFR 140.915(a)
08 - Alarms › N/A - No Subsystem › General alarm
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Each towing vessel must be fitted with a general alarm that has installed, in the engine room and any other area where background noise makes a general alarm hard to hear, a supplemental flashing red light; GA light was not flashing in the E/R.
46 CFR 143.235(b)(3)
07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Fire detection and alarm system
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Each towing vessel must have a fire-detection system installed to detect engine room fires, ensuring that the design of the system and its installation on the towing vessel is certified and inspected by a registered professional engineer with experience in fire-detection system design, NICET level IV tech, or authorized class society; required certification was not available.
46 CFR 142.330(a)(7)
99 - Other › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (Safety in general)
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Each EAP education program must include display of informational material; a community service hot-line telephone number for crewmember assistance; and the employer's policy regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace; EAP information was not on display.
46 CFR 16.401(a)
10 - Safety of Navigation › N/A - No Subsystem › Other (navigation)
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Means must be provided to ensure that windows immediately forward of the operating station in the pilothouse allow for adequate visibility to ensure safe navigation regardless of weather conditions; windshield wiper intended for this purpose was not properly installed.
46 CFR 144.905(b)
03 - Water/Weathertight Conditions › N/A - No Subsystem › Doors
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
The master must ensure that all hatches, doors, and other openings designed to be watertight or weather-tight function properly; gasket on stbd main deck watertight door had gaps and was worn in multiple places, preventing appropriate function as designed.
46 CFR 140.610(b)
08 - Alarms › N/A - No Subsystem › Machinery controls alarm
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Each towing vessel must test alarm set points twice every 5 years, with no more than 3 years elapsing since last test; high jacket water temp had not been tested and could not be tested at the time of inspection.
46 CFR 143.245(b)
07 - Fire Safety › N/A - No Subsystem › Ready availability of fire fighting equipment
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
The fire main must have a sufficient number of fire hydrants with attached hose; hoses were not all attached.
46 CFR 142.325(c)
10 - Safety of Navigation › N/A - No Subsystem › Lights, shapes, sound-signals
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Each towing vessel must be equipped with navigation lights, shapes, and sound signals in accordance with COLREGS; vessel did not have sufficient dayshapes, missing one ball that would be required in the instance of a grounding.
46 CFR 140.720
10 - Safety of Navigation › N/A - No Subsystem › Lights, shapes, sound-signals
Issued 30 April 2025
Resolved
Each towing vessel must be equipped with navigation lights, shapes, and sound signals in accordance with COLREGS; nav panel on bridge had burnt out bulbs, not functioning properly and compromising safe navigation.
46 CFR 140.720
01 - Certificates & Documentation › 011 - Ships Certificates › Certificate of Inspection (COI)
Issued 8 April 2025
Resolved
A towing vessel subject to this subchapter and choosing the Coast Guard inspection option, or required to have the Coast Guard inspection option, must undergo an annual inspection within 3 months before or after the COI anniversary date.
Vessel did not schedule annual inspection and verbally admitted to operating past 3 month anniversary date. AIS data validated this factual evidence.
COI was deactivated.
11 - Life Saving Appliances › N/A - No Subsystem › Immersion suits
Issued 25 October 2023
Resolved
Each towing vessel operating north of lat. 32° N. must carry at least one appropriate-size immersion suit, approved under approval series 160.171, for each person onboard. Vessels COI allows it to operate with 6 persons onboard. Vessel only had 1 immersion suit. Vessel is restricted to operating only inside Duluth harbor until corrected.
46CFR141.350(a)
11 - Life Saving Appliances › N/A - No Subsystem › Lifejackets incl. provision and disposition
Issued 25 October 2023
Resolved
Each towing vessel must carry at least one appropriately-sized lifejacket, approved under approval series 160.002, 160.005, 160.055, 160.155, or 160.176, for each person on board. Vessels COI allows it to operate with 6 persons onboard. Vessel only had 4 Lifejacks. Vessel is restricted to maximum of 4 persons until corrected.
46CFR141.340
11 - Life Saving Appliances › N/A - No Subsystem › Distress flares
Issued 25 October 2023
Resolved
A towing vessel must carry a combination of day and night visual distress signals indicated in Table 141.370. Vessel must carry a total of 12 flares, 6 day and 6 night. Vessel only had 10 flares onboard. Vessel is restricted to 3 nautical miles from shore until corrected.
46CFR141.375(a)
05 - Radio Communications › N/A - No Subsystem › Satellite EPIRB 406MHz/1.6GHz
Issued 25 October 2023
Resolved
Each towing vessel operating beyond 3 nautical miles from shore upon the Great Lakes must carry a Category 1, 406 MHz satellite Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) that meets the requirements of 47 CFR part 80. When conducting the self test, EPIRB failed to acquire satellite connection. Vessel is limited to 3 nautical miles from shore until they can prove proper operation of the EPIRB.
46CFR141.380(a)
11 - Life Saving Appliances › N/A - No Subsystem › Immersion suits
Issued 25 October 2023
Resolved
Each immersion suit or anti-exposure suit must have a lifejacket light approved under approval series 161.112 securely attached to the front shoulder area of the immersion suit or anti-exposure suit. The Immersion suit did not have a light attached.
46CFR141.450(b)
46CFR199.70(c)(4)
01 - Certificates & Documentation › 013 - Documents › Log-books/compulsory entries
Issued 25 October 2023
Resolved
The following list of items must be recorded in the TVR (logbook)
(1) Personnel records, in accordance with § 140.400;
(2) Safety orientation, in accordance with § 140.410; (3) Record of drills and instruction, in accordance with § 140.420;
(4) Examinations and tests, in accordance with § 140.615;
(5) Operative navigational safety equipment, in accordance with § 140.620;
(6) Navigation assessment, in accordance with § 140.635;
(7) Navigation safety training, in accordance with § 140.645;
(8) Oil residue discharges and disposals, in accordance with § 140.655;
(9) Record of inspection of towing gear, in accordance with § 140.820; and
(10) Fire-detection and fixed fire-extinguishing, in accordance with § 142.240.
Vessel was not recording all items properly in the TVR. Conducted some training with the vessel operator to start properly recording the items needed.
46CFR140.915(a)
01 - Certificates & Documentation › 011 - Ships Certificates › Certificate of Inspection (COI)
Issued 13 July 2022
Resolved
Vessel must complete initial COI exam prior to operating.
02 - Structural Conditions › N/A - No Subsystem › Beams, frames, floors-corrosion
Issued 23 November 2021
Resolved
CROP AND RENEW FOUR CRACKED GUNWALE GUSSETS FORWARD OF THE STARBOARD FORWARD BITTS.
11 - Life Saving Appliances › N/A - No Subsystem › Immersion suits
Issued 23 November 2021
Resolved
ATTACH A USCG APPROVED LIGHT AND WHISTLE TO EACH IMMERSION SUIT.
13 - Propulsion and Auxiliary Machinery › N/A - No Subsystem › Propulsion main engine
Issued 23 November 2021
Resolved
REPAIR CRACKS AND GASKET LEAKS IN THE PROPULSION ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
05 - Radio Communications › N/A - No Subsystem › VHF EPIRB
Issued 23 November 2021
Resolved
PROVIDE EPIRB FOR VESSEL.
Personnel › Training › Crisis Management/Human Behaviour
Issued 18 December 2000
Resolved
vessel had no employee assistance information on board.
Casualty record · 4
9 October 2005Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 2516347
29 November 2007Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 3108862
17 March 2008Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Casualty · activity 3179008
14 September 2009Routine · role: Involved in a Marine Investigation (non-casualty) · serious marine incident, as classified · activity 3596518
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
W. DOUGLAS MASTERSON (2005–2009). 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.