Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Kay
- Type: Twin-engine diesel tugboat
- Year Built: 1957
- Builder: Franklin Shipyard, Franklin, Louisiana
- Dimensions: 55 ft (17 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 35 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 13 m / 42 ft
- Location: West of Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario (NY waters)
- Coordinates: 43° 27′ 42.3″ N 76° 33′ 11.88″ W
- Original Owners: Salvage & Demolition Inc., North Weymouth MA (1987)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Mary Kay was a compact steel-hulled tug designed for towing, salvage, and harbor service. Originally constructed as the Payday II in 1957 at Franklin, Louisiana, she was powered by twin Murphy diesels and later refitted several times under changing ownership.
Description
The Mary Kay was a compact steel-hulled tug designed for towing, salvage, and harbor service. Originally constructed as the Payday II in 1957 at Franklin, Louisiana, she was powered by twin Murphy diesels and later refitted several times under changing ownership.
History
The tug began service as Payday II, operating in Gulf and Great Lakes industrial service. By 1987, the vessel was owned by Salvage & Demolition Inc. of North Weymouth, Massachusetts, and had been transferred to Port Weller, Ontario, under International Barge Lines. Renamed successively Capt. G.H. Smith, Swift, and finally Mary Kay, she was maintained for coastal and inland towing operations.
Significant Incidents
- September 21, 1988: The Mary Kay departed Rochester NY bound for Boston. Encountering strong winds and 9-foot seas west of Oswego Harbor, heavy following seas overtopped the stern and flooded the engine room. The tug lost stability and sank rapidly in 42 ft (13 m) of water. Both crewmen escaped and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, whose crew later received formal commendations for bravery from the City of Oswego.
Final Disposition
The wreck lies upright on a silty bottom approximately 1 mile west of the Oswego breakwater. The hull is largely intact with the wheelhouse collapsed to port. Machinery and deck fittings are visible, making it a popular shallow-technical or recreational dive.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Access to the wreck is typically via boat launch from Oswego Harbor, with charter services recommended. The dive site is at a depth of 42 ft (13 m) with visibility ranging from 15 to 30 ft (5 to 9 m) in summer. Divers should be aware of moderate current and wave exposure during north winds. Open Water certified divers or higher are recommended for this dive. No permits are required for non-disturbance dives.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-kay-payday-ii” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Mary Kay exemplifies mid-20th-century American tug design and the operational hazards faced by small working vessels on the Great Lakes. Its loss in 1988 is among the last commercial tug sinkings recorded in Lake Ontario and remains an educational and recreational dive site for maritime historians. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories while exploring this historic wreck.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Description
The Mary Kay was a compact steel-hulled tug designed for towing, salvage, and harbor service. Originally constructed as the Payday II in 1957 at Franklin, Louisiana, she was powered by twin Murphy diesels and later refitted several times under changing ownership.History
The tug began service as Payday II, operating in Gulf and Great Lakes industrial service. By 1987, the vessel was owned by Salvage & Demolition Inc. of North Weymouth, Massachusetts, and had been transferred to Port Weller, Ontario, under International Barge Lines. Renamed successively Capt. G.H. Smith, Swift, and finally Mary Kay, she was maintained for coastal and inland towing operations.Final Voyage
On September 21, 1988, the Mary Kay departed Rochester NY bound for Boston. Encountering strong winds and 9-foot seas west of Oswego Harbor, heavy following seas overtopped the stern and flooded the engine room. The tug lost stability and sank rapidly in 42 ft (13 m) of water. Both crewmen escaped and were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, whose crew later received formal commendations for bravery from the City of Oswego.Final Dispositions
The wreck lies upright on a silty bottom approximately 1 mile west of the Oswego breakwater. The hull is largely intact with the wheelhouse collapsed to port. Machinery and deck fittings are visible, making it a popular shallow-technical or recreational dive.Dive Information
Access: Boat launch from Oswego Harbor / charter recommended Depth: 42 ft (13 m) Visibility: 15–30 ft (5–9 m) in summer Conditions: Moderate current and wave exposure during north winds Skill Level: Open Water certified divers or higher Permits: Not required for non-disturbance dives Emergency: U.S. Coast Guard Station Oswego (16 VHF)Historical Significance
The Mary Kay exemplifies mid-20th-century American tug design and the operational hazards faced by small working vessels on the Great Lakes. Its loss in 1988 is among the last commercial tug sinkings recorded in Lake Ontario and remains an educational and recreational dive site for maritime historians.3D Model
Resources & Links
- Oswego Maritime Foundation – Regional shipwreck research archive
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database – Tugboat Listings
- 3D Documentation by Capt. Tim Caza / SonarGuy LLC
- Deep World – Mary Kay Tug
References
- U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Report, Oswego District, 21 Sept 1988.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Tug Mary Kay record.
- Shotline Diving Field Survey and 3D Modeling, 2024–2025.