Dorado Dockside | 16×20 | Oil on Linen Panel

Inspiration for Dorado Dockside

I really enjoy painting tugboats like the Dorado Dockside. Tugboats—there’s just something about ’em! I’m always on the lookout for our tug fleet to be on the “correct” side of the Port of Pensacola. When they’re tied on the west side, they’re close enough to start a painting! I particularly like this one, the Dorado, because it seems to have the most bric-a-brac aboard. There’s no shortage of ropes, railings, or rust on this workhorse! I’m going to guess that tugboats are so popular because they’re like the gentle mules of the maritime world: unassuming, hardworking, humble..with maybe a touch of stubbornness. 🙂

Info about the Dorado

Some technical information about the tug: Equitable Equipment of Madisonville, Louisiana built the Dorado in 1965 (hull #1350). She was originally named Alex Chotin for the Chotin Transportation Company of New Orleans, Louisiana. Crowley Marine Services of San Francisco, California, later acquired the tug, and renamed it the Dorado.

Two Caterpillar D-398 diesel engines power the vessel for a rated 2,000 horsepower. Caterpillar 7261 reduction gears at a ratio of 3.95:1 turn two 11″ by 24″ fixed pitch, stainless steel propellers via 6″ shafts.

A Caterpillar Model D320 Volts drives a 40kW, 110/208volts generator, and a John Deere diesel engine drives a 40kW, 110/208volts generator, which provides the Dorado’s electrical service.

The tug’s capacities are 19,350 gallons of fuel, 4,000 gallons of potable water, and 400 gallons of lube oil. Her towing gear consists of a Smatco 44 single drum towing machine.