Bowbelle was a suction hopper dredger which was built in 1964 for F. Bowles & Sons Ltd, Cardiff, Glamorgan, United Kingdom.

[3] Bowbelle was built in 1964 as yard number 517 by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Troon, Ayrshire for F. Bowles & Sons Ltd, Cardiff, Glamorgan.

On her maiden voyage, she almost collided with the Tower Pier when her anchors failed to fully release.

[6] In November 1964, Bowbelle and her sister ship Bowqueen were detained in port in London due to a dispute involving the Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union (WLTBU).

F. Bowles & Sons took legal action to prevent the union from interfering with the new crews signed aboard the ships.

[7] The dispute was because the crews of the ships switched their membership from the National Seamen's Union to the WLTBU, which F. Bowles & Sons did not recognise.

Requests by F. Bowles & Sons and the Metropolitan Sand and Ballast Co. for injunctions preventing the WLTBU from interfering with their businesses were denied.

Marchioness was not keeping to the starboard side of the river and those on board Bowbelle did not maintain an efficient look out.

She was reflagged to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and placed under the management of Bilberry Shipping & Stevedores Ltd., Waterford, Ireland.

[4] Billo was sold in 1996 to Antonio Pereira e Filhos Lda, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal in 1996.

The wreck lies in 100 feet (30 m) of water south west of Madeira and is a popular dive site.