Built in 2001, by Hope Services of Dulac, Louisiana (hull #142) as the Ludwig E. for Modern Continental Construction. The tug was originally built for Metropolitan Marine Transportation, Incorporated of Staten Island, New York. However, events surrounding September 11th, 2001 disrupted the deal, and building was halted. In the aftermath, Modern Continental Construction purchased the partially completed vessel. The tug was completed and entered service as the Ludwig E. in 2001. In 2007, she was acquired by K-Sea Transportation Partnership of East Brunswick, New Jersey where she was renamed as the Nathan E. Stewart. Named for a K-Sea Transportation Partnership employee who was chief mate onboard the tug Davis Sea who was killed on the job. In 2010, she was outfitted with a JAK coupler system at Feeney’s Enterprises of Kingston, New York and fitted with the 50,000 bbl barge DBL 54. The barge was chartered from Zidell Marine Services. In 2011, K-Sea Transportation was acquired by the Kirby Corporation of Channelview, Texas, where the tug retained her name. Powered by two Cummins KTA-50 M2 diesel main engines turning two 87(in) wheels for a rated 3,400 horsepower. She has the capacity for 90,000 gallons of fuel. Her towing gear consists of a double drum INTERcon towing winch.