Shown below are 12 pictures from the 12th Annual Illuminated Tugboat Parade held Sunday, December 15, at the Kirby Inland Marine yard in Corpus Christi. The photographer was Sharon Emerson, a paralegal-marine investigator for the Klegberg Law Firm in Corpus Christi. She graciously authorized their use in the Bitts & Bytes Boat Photo Center at www.littleriverbooks.com. "If you were not there," says Sharon, "you missed the best party on the ship channel." Sharon actually is the event organizer, so anyone wishing to enter a tugboat next year, or if they wish to be a sponsor, they can contact her at her email address: semerson@KLEBERG.com.

Sponsors of the 2002 parade were: the Port of Corpus Christi, Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling, Bludworth Shipyards, Hose of South Texas, The Propeller Club of the Port of Corpus Christi, Valero, Kirby Inland Marine, Williams Energy Services, the Kleberg Law Firm, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

In the judging, the Mv. Aransas was first; the Mv. Colorado, pushing the Pocca Fireboat, second; and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mallet, third. The Aransas, Colorado and Marine 1 are all owned by Kirby Inland Marine.

• The Kirby Salute on the company's Mv. Aransas, which won first in the parade judging.
• Kirby Marine's Mv. Colorado, pushing the Pocca Fireboat, was judged second.
• This is a different view of the Aransas, showing the stern of a barge.
• The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mallet came in third in the judging.
• Mv. Aransas in the 12th Annual Illuminated Tugboat Parade at Corpus Christi
• Kirby's Mv. Colorado showing her stuff in the Kirby Inland Marine yard.
• The Mv. Marine 1 came down to join the fun.
• Another view of Kirby's Mv. Aransas.
• Yet another view of the Coast Guard's Cutter Mallet.
• The Mv. Aransas making her rounds.
• Kirby's Colorado - another view.
• The Port of Corpus Christi Fireboat