Photo by Isaac Pennock
This large Voith-Schneider tractor tug was built in 1973 by Star Shipyards as Vachon for Quebec Cartier Mines. Used her entire career for ship assist in Port Cartier, QC, the tug’s ownership was transferred to ArcelorMittal Mines Canada when they purchased the steelmaker Dofasco in 2007. The Vachon was retired from Port Cartier in 2017 and sold to Le Groupe Ocean of Quebec, QC, who renamed the tug Ocean A. Gauthier.
The Ocean A. Gauthier is currently based in Hamilton, Ontario.
- Type: Twin Screw Tractor Tug
- Year Built: 1973
- Builder: Star Shipyards Ltd., New Westminster, BC
- Hull No.: 408
- Horsepower: 3,600 bhp
- Length: 98′ 11″
- Breadth: 36′ 00″
- Depth: 12′ 04″
- Port of Registry: Quebec, QC
Shaun Vary
Nathan Attard
Will Van Dorp
Isaac Pennock
Great Lakes Tugs & Workboats 
May I ask what does A stand for in the name Ocean A Gauthier.
I don’t know who her namesake is.