By Chris Winters

CAMERON O. prepares to hook a tow lead from the EDGAR B. SPEER as the tug assists the “footer” into the graving dock at Fincanteri Bay Shipbuilding, March, 2014. 

The CAMERON O. was built by Peterson Builders of Sturgeon Bay in 1969 as the ESCORT II.  She was a yard tug for Peterson until sold to Selvick Marine Towing in 1996. Renamed CAMERON O. by Selvick in 2006.  Selvick became Sarter in 2019 and CAMERON O. was long-term chartered to Great Lakes Towing in 2022 and is used as a harbor tug in Sturgeon Bay.

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Chris Winters is a Trustee and Vice President of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, a well-known author and has been a photojournalist for over 25 years.  He and his cameras have enjoyed a privileged glimpse into the lives of merchant mariners aboard some of the Great Lakes best-known and best-loved vessels.