USCG 65' Small harbor tug

The USCG 65' small harbor tug is a class of fifteen tugs used by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, aids-to-navigation work and light icebreaking. The tugs are capable of breaking 18 in of ice with propulsion ahead and 21 in of ice backing and ramming. They were designed with steel hulls to replace the 64 ft wooden-hulled tugs that had been in service since the 1940's and were built by Gibbs Gas Engine Company, Jacksonville, Florida ; Barbour Boat Works of New Bern, North Carolina ; and Western Boat Builders Corporation, Tacoma, Washington from 1961 to 1967. They were originally powered by a single 400 horsepower diesel engine, however several have been re-powered with 500 horsepower main drive engines since they were constructed.