Palatka (YTB-801)

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.
Career
Awarded: 2 May 1968
Builder: Southern Shipbuilding Corp, Slidell, Louisiana
Laid down: 29 November 1968
Launched: 19 August 1969
Acquired: 25 November 1969
Struck: 4 April 1995
Fate: Sold, 16 July 2001
Status: Commercial service as Maverick into 2011[1]
Notes: Sources: NVR, DANFS
General characteristics
Class and type:Natick-class large harbor tug
Displacement:283 long tons (288 t) (light)
356 long tons (362 t) (full)
Length:109 ft (33 m)
Beam:31 ft (9.4 m)
Draft:14 ft (4.3 m)
Speed:12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Complement:12
Armament:None
Notes:Sources: NVR, DANFS

Palatka (YTB-801) was a United States Navy Natick-class large harbor tug named for Palatka, Florida.[2]

Construction

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

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.[1] 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.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Maverick".
  2. "Palatka (YTB-801)". Retrieved 2011-11-08.

External links

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