Karen Andrie / Endeavour
Built by Gulfport Shipbuilding in Port Arthur, Texas, Hull No. 597 was originally named Sarah Hays for Gulfcoast Transit in Tampa, Florida.
Andrie acquired the vessel in 1993, renaming it Karen Andrie for service on the Great Lakes.
The vessel underwent a major refit in 2009, being repowered with two GM EMD 8-710 G7CT2 eight-cylinder diesel engines, and modified with a JAK coupler system and a new upper pilot house with all-new controls and electronic systems. The original towing winch was also removed.
The GM engines are mated with Falk reduction gears for a combined rated 3,600 horsepower.
Since the refit, Karen Andrie has been paired exclusively with the barge Endeavour, hauling liquid asphalt in Great Lakes trade.
Article by J. Bowler, adapted from information written by Birk Thomas on TugBoatInformation.com
Tug Details
Endeavour was built in 2009 by Jeffboat, LLC, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, as a heated asphalt tanker for Andrie, Inc., in Muskegon, Michigan.
The barge features 10 cargo tanks with a capacity of 52,000 barrels and has been paired with the tug Karen Andrie since entering service.
