Sadly, I report the tug boat “Captain Diane” is no longer in Key West. Tug boat use has slipped as new propulsion technology is used to land and launch giant cruise ships. Of course tugs are always used for salvage,
distress, and disaster at sea. It is the Captain Diane that answered the call if the US Coast Guard got in a jam.
She’s being inspected in Miami for possible/ probable sale. Here’s a shot of the graveyard. She’s not ready for that yet. Not even close. She’s a former USCG icebreaker, converted into a power tug. With 9-foot props she could pull an island if necessary, and that’s where she is headed for a busier port of call. I hope to see her again one day, perhaps in Nassau. In the mean time, and I mean Greenwich Mean time; here’s a clip. Unfortunately the original HD content was corrupted and lost so I don’t have anything but this web video. I spent an entire week aboard the Captain Diane.
Each day I found myself praying for a shipwreck or just a simple pull or push into a dock would have been nice. That week in 2007 she was welded to the dock. I slept like a baby, dove like a seal. This also means we will miss out riding alongside Captain Dave for the sinking of the Vandenberg. Unfortunately the sinking has been postponed due to funding. That last million or two are the hardest… I guess. Plus this is hurricane season. Safety first.
Tribute to the tugboat “Captain Diane”.
Tags: Key West, Press Releases, RANT, RAVE, Video, video flog
December 13th, 2008 at 15:27
Is this the same tug that came from Gaelic Towing? I also bought a tug off of them. It was in quite good condition when I bought it. I’ve heard that the “Capt Diane” underwent a very successful repowering, and would like to know the details if possible.
Best regards, Matt Formel
January 2nd, 2009 at 20:25
Hi Matt,
The Captain Diane was sold back in April and don’t know much about her past other than what I posted, however I do know her Captain and asked if he would fill in the blanks. Give him a few days.
Thanks for your comment,
Paul
January 30th, 2009 at 14:56
Hi Captain Matt,
5/21 - Tug Roger Stahl sold to Bahamas - Capt. Dave Ghidoni
The Capt Diane, ex Roger Stahl and Ex-USCG KAW. What they will do with an ice breaker in Nassau?
Link to a few images of her in dry dock. http://www.boatnerd.com/news/n.....bs_618.htm
February 5th, 2009 at 16:38
Sir,
The Captain Diane has been sold to the Bahamian Pilots Association in Nassau, Bahamas where it will be used for ship assist and salvage operations.
I do not have a lot of the details about the specifics about changing the Diane from the CG configuration to a tugboat but you can find out by calling Gaelic Towing.
I was the captain of the Diane for five years and know her handling and operating characteristics and would be happy to answer any questions concerning that aspect.
Capt. Dave Ghidoni,Key West Florida
August 21st, 2009 at 13:21
I sailed aboard the Diane as the Cutter Kaw In 1958-1960, Her ole Ingersoll Rand Engines did a fine job getting through the ice of the Great Lakes.