Palatka (YTB-801) was a United States Navy Natick-class large harbor tug named for Palatka, Florida.[1]

Palatka (YTB-801)
On 26 August 1994, Palatka casts off for the last time from her former homeport at NAS Burmuda to start her three-day journey to her new homeport at Norfolk, VA. The final departure of Palatka was part of a reduction in services associated with the September 1995 base closure of NAS Bermuda.
History
United States
Awarded2 May 1968
BuilderSouthern Shipbuilding Corp, Slidell, Louisiana
Laid down29 November 1968
Launched19 August 1969
Acquired25 November 1969
Stricken4 April 1995
IdentificationIMO number8980816
FateSold into commercial service as Maverick, 16 July 2001
NotesSources: NVR, DANFS
General characteristics
Class and typeNatick-class large harbor tug
Displacement
  • 283 long tons (288 t) (light)
  • 356 long tons (362 t) (full)
Length109 ft (33 m)
Beam31 ft (9.4 m)
Draft14 ft (4.3 m)
Speed12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Complement12
ArmamentNone
NotesSources: NVR, DANFS

Construction

edit

The contract for Palatka was awarded 2 May 1968. She was laid down 29 November 1968 at Slidell, Louisiana, by Southern Shipbuilding Corp and launched 19 August 1969.

Operational history

edit

Delivered 7 November 1969, Palatka was assigned to the 5th Naval District. She was later assigned to Naval Air Station Bermuda where she served until 1995.[2] A Large Harbor Tug, she was specially configured to berth and dock nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. She was also equipped to provide emergency rescue and other services.

Stricken from the Navy List 4 April 1995, ex-Palatka was sold 16 July 2001, by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) to Boston Towing for $437,335 and renamed Maverick. Ex-Palatka was sold to Runner Marine Limited of Lagos, Nigeria in 2011 and renamed Alfa.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Palatka (YTB-801)". Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  2. ^ a b "Maverick".
edit