29^TH Annual International Tugboat Race on the Detroit River June 25, 2005
*Pictures courtesy Boatnerd.com

With the roar of diesel engines and lots of black smoke, the 29th Annual Detroit-Windsor Tugboat race began on Saturday afternoon. Tugboat races started back in 1949 and for many years they were discontinued. In 1976 the International Freedom Festival started the tradition once again. In 2003 the International Freedom Festival declared bankruptcy and the future of the race was in limbo. Local Detroit tug man Brian Williams, with help of numerous companies, individuals and the Detroit and Windsor Port Authorities was able to organize the event keeping the tradition alive.

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J.W. Westcott ready for the race.	WDIV Channel 4 Camera man	Tourboat Friendship	Special tug race cruise	Joseph J. Hogan
Katmai Bay passing through.	Julie Ann	Patricia Hoey	Marvin O with the Grey Fox and J.A.W. Iglehart in the background	Marvin O
Gorry	Jenny Lynn	Patricia Hoey	Shannon	Iglehart upbound
Joan V	R&R	Penny	Danny Boy	Tugs gather for the start
Enterprise		Flags flying on the Sannon. Note the Ford "Blue Bird" house flag Former Ford Captain Don Erikison was onboard the tug.	Onboard the J.W. Westcott II Capt. Sam Buchanan prepares for the race.	Aucshnet
Stern	Channel 4 covers the race from the Shannon			Penny pushing the Acushnet
Line up.	Isabelle and Bionic	Elisabeth	Josephine
	Along side the Shannon
		Pioneer	Race starts	Penny quickly falling back
Enterprise
		Grey Fox was not officially running in the race, as a former Navy Vessel there is no class for her speed.	Junior C II
				Julie Ann
Series showing her trade mark rolling run
Joseph J. Hogan
	K-Sea (Diamond Queen) on her regular tour.
		Bristol Bay is the finish line and platform for the awards