By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
Monday, July 7, 2025
LUDINGTON, Mich. — The tug/barge Candice Elise/Robert F. Deegan arrived at Ludington Harbor Monday, moments before the evening departure of the SS Badger. The tug/barge combo was heading to the Occidental Chemical (OxyChem) slip on Pere Marquette Lake.
The duo makes frequent visits to OxyChem’s Ludington plant.
The Candice Elise is a 100 feet long, 32 feet wide with a depth of 14 feet, 8 inches. It is owned by Ashton Marine Co. of North Muskegon, Michigan (ashtontugs.com). It was built in 1981 as the Perseverance in 1981 by Modern Marine Power, Inc., Houma, La. Reanmed Mr. Bill G. in 1983; El Rhino Grande in 1990; Stephen Dann in 1997; Candice Elise in 2015.
Its main engine operates with two Caterpillar 3512 TA diesel engines that operate at 2,600 horsepower.
The Robert F. Deegan was built in 1968 by Wyatt Industries, Houston Texas. It is 225 feet long, 60 feet wide with a depth of 4 feet. It is owned by USS Great Lakes LLC of New York, NY.
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