The Liz Vinik was built in 1962 by Jakobson Shipyard, Inc. of Oyster Bay, New York, for the Esso Shipping Company and was originally christened the Esso Maryland. When Esso rebranded as Exxon, the Esso Maryland likewise became the Exxon Maryland.

In 1989, she was purchased by the Eklof Marine Corporation of Staten Island, and the Exxon name was dropped, leaving her simply the Maryland. She retained this name through several corporate mergers and acquisitions until 2017, when Vinik Marine purchased her and renamed her after Captain Mike's wife.

Like the tug, her eponym is a New York City native, born on Staten Island. She was working as an elementary school special needs teacher in the New York City public school system when she and Capt. Mike met. Today, she is the proud mother of their two children, Nicholas and Savannah, who occupy most of her time.