Wapato (YTB-788)

Wapato (YTB-788)
History
United States
Namesake	A Native American word for a bulbous root of the genus Sagittaria resembling a potato; also the city of Wapato, Washington
Awarded	14 January 1965
Builder	Marinette Marine Corporation, Marinette, Wisconsin
Laid down	14 January 1966
Launched	18 April 1966
Acquired	21 June 1966
Stricken	25 April 1996
Identification	IMO number: 8997895 MMSI number: 367082130 Callsign: WDC8133
Fate	Sold into commercial service, 27 December 2002
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)
Installed power	2000 horsepower (1.5 MW)
Propulsion	one diesel engine, one screw
Speed	12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Complement	12
Armament	none

Wapato (YTB-788) was a United States Navy Natick-class large harbor tug named for Wapato, Washington.^[1]

Construction

The contract for Wapato was awarded 14 January 1965. She was laid down on 14 January 1966 at Marinette, Wisconsin, by Marinette Marine and launched 18 April 1966.

Operational history

Delivered to the U.S. Navy on 21 June 1966, Wapato was assigned to the 10th Naval District and operated out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, aiding ships in berthing and docking maneuvers and providing waterfront fire protection.

Stricken on 25 April 1996, Wapato was sold on 27 December 2002.

Repowered and chartered for a time to SeaBulk Towing of Florida as Osprey, ex-Wapato is currently active in commercial service as Timothy McAllister.^[2]