MIller's Launch

MILLER’S LAUNCH

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF MARITIME SUPPORT

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MILLER’S LAUNCH

I PROFILE

Known as the ‘Swiss Army Knife of the Atlantic Ocean’, Miller’s Launch is renowned for its versatile support services. For more than 45 years, the company has risen to the challenge of each request it receives.

Vice President Nick Miller explained more, in an exclusive interview.

Report by Imogen Ward.

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M

iller’s Launch has built a reputa-

established in 1977. Since then, the

tion for being a reliable and

company has worked hard to amass

highly versatile provider of

a strong fleet consisting of 70 pieces

marine support services.

of multipurpose floating equipment.

“Over the years, we have worked hard

“The company was founded by my

to carve out a niche in the industry,” Vice

father over 40 years ago,” Mr. Miller

President Nick Miller explained. “We are

explained. “At the time, we ran a simple

known for our multipurpose vessels that

launch service for the ships here in New

are equipped with various equipment,

York Harbor, and it has grown into the

including A-frames and cranes that allow

craziness that it is today.

us to complete a wide scope of work.”

“Now, my fleet allows me to get

Based on Staten Island, Miller’s Launch

involved with all different types of pro-

is a medium sized business that was first

jects. The same vessel could be involved

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MILLER’S LAUNCH

I PROFILE

in everything from a boulder relocation program to a conduit pipe pulling operation or just general support for a cable

recently there

installation vessel. That versatility allows

has been a tidal

us to keep that same vessel on charter for

shift and the work is

all the different phases of a project too.”

now chasing us – which is a great position to be in.”

Endless possibilities

Several of the company’s vessels

The list of jobs taken on by Miller’s Launch

were recently up in New England, sup-

continues to grow alongside the busi-

porting the installation of infrastructure

ness, and its capabilities broaden with

for the first U.S. commercial grade wind

each new project. One of the areas that

farm. The team carried out crew transfers,

the company has worked in repeatedly

acoustic monitoring, and OSV work.

is Protected Species Observation. Miller’s

“We are now at a point where we’re

Launch has been successfully supporting

trying to string all our different scopes

this area of expertise for many years.

together,” said Mr. Miller. “We have

The company has also held a strong

been approaching Tier 1 contractors

presence within the offshore wind sector

and explaining why it would be beneficial

(an area that it has been eager to work

to use a company like us throughout the

within since the sector first gained trac-

whole process.

tion in the American market).

“We have been going to offshore

“With Miller’s Launch, companies don’t have to pigeonhole their projects

wind conferences since they first started

into small, separate timeframes: it makes

here in the U.S. about 15 years ago,” said

the entire process more cost effective

Mr. Miller. “Back then, there were 10 guys

and less stressful.”

in a bar talking about wind. The last conference I attended had more than 1,000

The perfect team

participants, so it’s definitely a sector

Whenever Miller’s Launch takes on a new

that is expanding quickly.

scope, the company relies on the knowl-

“In the past, we were really having to track down work in this sector, but

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edge and experience of the crew to help advise the best course of action.

“When a project comes in that is not something we do every day, we really like to converse with the captains and the crew who will be doing the job,” Mr. Miller explained. “At the end of the day, they’re the ones that are going to be out in the field making sure everything runs smoothly. Their opinions are vital to ensuring that, and they help make the whole process a lot more harmonious as well.”

The weird and wonderful: Miller’s Launch has supported a lot of interesting requests over the years, this includes offering a tugboat ride for a wedding ceremony, floating a giant inflatable poop emoji around New York Harbor for Charmin Toilet Paper, and providing support for movie productions.

Everyone at Miller’s Launch takes their job very seriously. At times, the company is relied upon for emergency oil pollution response and fully comprehends how quickly a situation can go south.

it is so important to have employees

“If someone isn’t paying attention to the

that know what they should and shouldn’t

right elements, things can’ go wrong very

do in this situation. We have been in the

quickly,” Mr. Miller continued. “That’s why

emergency response business for many

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MILLER’S LAUNCH

I PROFILE

years: we were down in the bp oil spill, and we helped recover the plane from the Miracle on the Hudson, so we have plenty of experience working in a crisis situation.”

Included in the Miller Team is a chain of top quality suppliers and partners that

regularly work alongside Miller’s Launch.

“At the end of the day, my business provides a service, and I appreciate what that means,” Mr. Miller enthused. “I can’t provide a service without my suppliers and partners; they are part of our team. There are very few companies that will answer your phone call at 3am unless you do two things: treat everybody with respect and pay your bills. We do both of those things.

“We have great support from all our suppliers and vendors: everybody from the diesel mechanics to the guy that delivers the water – it doesn’t matter what part they play, they’re a part of the Miller team.”

Digitizing the operation For many years, Miller’s Launch has been intrigued by the advantageous nature of real time tracking. Now, with a sizeable fleet and an ever growing number of projects, the company feels it is the right time to invest.

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“When a business is very small, it is

“With the increasing demand for off-

easy for one person to know everything

shore wind support services, expansion

about the fleet,” said Mr. Miller, “but when

is definitely on the cards,” Mr. Miller con-

running a diverse suite, a reliance on

cluded. “At this current time, my business

digital tracking software becomes more

is starting to get outpaced by demand,

of a necessity. We have been on the cusp

so I am probably going to have to go

of implementing that for many years, and

and buy some more boats.

more recently, we have really started to

“Ultimately, I want to continue providing

ramp up and formalize our systems, with

a wide range of scopes and services for

a focus on preventive maintenance and

my customers. With the business that we

regulatory compliance.”

are in, it is so important to maintain a pos-

This investment remains an immediate

itive relationship with each client, whilst

commitment for the company and

also being able to provide solutions for

supports its longer term vision of contin-

their evolving needs. I am always excited

uing to provide a valuable service,

to work on new and unique projects,

whilst also expanding to further meet

and I want to continue maintaining

customer requirements.

that mentality going forward.”

n

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