WorkBoat November 2025

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Content

November 2025 VOLUME 85, NO. 11

FEATURES 16 In Business: Cook Inlet Tug & Barge Year-round operations on the Last Frontier.

24 Cover Story: Upper Left

Pacific Northwest shipyards plot their future course.

34 Vessel Report: On Guard

16

U.S. builders scale up as agencies demand versatile, high-tech patrol platforms.

38 Pacific Marine Expo

PME will be held at Lumen Field in Seattle Nov. 20-22.

BOATS & GEAR 22 On the Ways

Hybrid ferry delivered to NYC • Partners building $160 million hybrid tug fleet • Research vessel delivered to Cal Poly • Coast Guard orders new workboats • Gladding-Hearn builds launch for Maryland Pilots • Retractable towboat delivered • Maine training ship christened • Navy landing craft launched • Coast Guard orders more FRCs • Corps barge launched • Navy yard barge delivered •NASSCO adds new floating drydock • Bordelon Marine to construct warships.

30 Take a Seat

30

Boat owners eye seating upgrades, and manufacturers must keep up.

NEWS LOG 6 US shipbuilders to train abroad.

6 Dredge and barge overturn on the Ohio River.

6 Turkish company buys AmFELS shipyard.

6 Trump administration kills offshore wind funding.

AT A GLANCE 8 On the Water: Hard hats on.

8 Inland Insider: Budgets, bureaucracy stall infrastructure funds.

9 Health, Safety, and Environment: Value of cross-training.

10 Legal Talk: Case falls outside the scope of the Jones Act. 11 Energy Level: Is the oil and gas industry performing?

11 Insurance Watch: How AI is reshaping marine insurance.

14 Captain's Table: Seeking regulatory relief.

14 Credentialing Insight: Sea service recency period extended. www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

DEPARTMENTS 2 Editor’s Watch 46 Port of Call 54 Advertisers Index 56 WB Looks Back

ON THE COVER

The 438'x105'x25' deck barge Makani Loa was built for Alaska Marine Lines.

Photo by Gunderson Marine

1

EDITOR'S WATCH

Out and about

E T V A S

E T A D THE

DEC 3-5, 2025 NEW ORLEANS Morial Convention Center

hroughout my career as an editor covering the commercial maritime industry, one of the aspects I’ve enjoyed most is the chance to get out from behind the desk and visit shipyards. While the job can theoretically be done entirely from an office, truly understanding the shipbuilding and repair process requires seeing it firsthand.

That perspective — and the ability to meet the people behind the boats — is exactly what makes field visits so valuable. Recently, the WorkBoat team has been on the move. In September, I traveled through Oregon and Washington to visit Pacific Northwest shipyards and speak with industry professionals about the trends, challenges, and opportunities they’re facing. While common themes emerged across the facilities, each yard — like the vessels they build and maintain — has its own distinct form, purpose, and approach. You can read more about what I learned in our cover story starting on page 24.

Whenever possible, I also like to get aboard and experience the vessels we feature in our pages. Shortly after returning from the Pacific Northwest, I hopped aboard the new hybrid dieselelectric ferry Harbor Charger for a transit from Manhattan to Governors Island. It was an invaluable opportunity to experience the trip from a passenger’s perspective and to speak with the systems integrator who accompanied me, as well as the vessel’s crew and operator. The boat is featured in this month’s On the Ways section, beginning on page 20.

with

Eric Haun, Executive Editor ehaun@divcom.com In August, WorkBoat’s senior associate editor, Ben Hayden, made the long journey to Alaska, where he observed a truly unique tug and barge operator in action. I was thoroughly impressed

by Ben’s report on Cook Inlet Tug & Barge and how the company manages to operate year-round in some of the country’s harshest cold-weather environments. Doing so effectively takes outside-the-box thinking, innovation, and a healthy dose of grit. That story begins on page 16.

From shipyards in the Pacific Northwest to ferries in New York Harbor and tug operations in Alaska, this issue highlights the innovation and adaptability that define the people and companies working on the water. We’re proud to be able to get out from behind the desk to report these stories, and we hope they resonate.

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News Bitts

NEWS LOG

US shipbuilders to train abroad under $8 million initiative

Dredge and barge overturn on the Ohio River

T

he 236'x43' dredge William L. Price owned by Tri-State River Products, Beaver, Pa., and a hopper barge filled with sand sank on the Ohio River on Sept. 10.

“The dredge had approximately 12,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board, along with 140 gallons of lube oil and gas for the generator,” Petty Officer Cheyenne Basurto, USCG Heartland District, said in an email. “No injuries or personnel casualties were reported.” Less than 20 gals. of oil had been discharged into the river, Basurto said.

The U.S. will send American workers and trainees overseas to learn techniques from shipbuilders in Japan and South Korea.

T

Shutterstock

he Labor Department on Sept. 4 announced up to $8 million in funding to send American workers and trainees abroad to learn advanced shipbuilding techniques from leading shipbuilding nations. Part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to strengthen America’s shipbuilding workforce, the initiative will establish partnerships between U.S. technical education centers and community colleges and their counterparts in allied nations — particularly South Korea and Japan, the world’s second- and third-largest shipbuilders after China.

The funding supports President Trump’s Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance executive order, aimed at reinvigorating the U.S. shipbuilding sector. By fostering international collaboration, the program seeks to bring critical shipbuilding expertise back to the U.S., helping to revitalize the domestic maritime industry, the Labor Department said in a press release.

The U.S. seeks to bolster its shipbuilding industry to strengthen national security, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and support economic and maritime competitiveness — especially amid rising tensions with China.

“Working closely with our allies will advance the Department of Labor’s mission to create effective shipbuilding apprenticeship programs right here in the United States,” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “We are committed to helping President Trump restore maritime dominance by preparing American workers for success, which will lead to more mortgage-paying jobs and enhance national security.”

Administered by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the program will support hands-on training opportunities for American workers alongside international partners, prioritizing workforce development in maritime trades, including boilermaking, industrial electrical work, steel fabrication, steamfitting, shipwright work, and welding. Another goal of the initiative is to develop a shipbuilding trade curriculum for use in U.S. training programs.

Grants were open to commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organizations, including any faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, or public international organizations. Applications were due

by Sept. 26. — Eric Haun

6

Turkish company buys AmFELS shipyard

S

eatrium Ltd., Singapore, announced it has sold its AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, to Karpower Valley LLC, an affiliate of Karpowership, Istanbul, Turkey, for a total consideration of approximately $50.6 million. Seatrium said it will complete all of AmFELS’ ongoing projects by the end of 2025. The deal remains subject to standard closing conditions, including lease transfer approval by the Port of Brownsville.

Trump administration kills offshore wind funding

T

ransportation Secretary Sean P. Duff y withdrew or terminated $679 million in funding for off shore wind-related port and infrastructure projects. The Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration are “refocused” on “rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capacity, unleashing more reliable, traditional forms of energy, and utilizing the nation’s bountiful natural resources to unleash American energy,” the agency said on Aug. 29. The Trump administration is “prioritizing real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and off er little,” Duff y said.

Go to workboat.com/news for the latest commercial marine industry news. #Workboat @WorkBoat

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AT-A-GLANCE

On the Water Hard hats on

BY JOEL MILTON Joel Milton works on towing vessels. He can be reached at joelmilton@yahoo.com.

T

he psychology behind the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), whether voluntary or mandatory, never fails to intrigue. The list is long: safety glasses, goggles, face shields, hard hats, bump caps, ear plugs, respirators, gloves, steel- or composite-toed footwear, coveralls, hazmat suits, fall-protection harnesses, and more.

Those reluctant to wear certain PPE often justify it by downplaying the perceived risk, claiming it’s too low to warrant protection. Unsurprisingly, the more uncomfortable or inconvenient the PPE, the less likely it is to be worn voluntarily — regardless of actual risk.

Inland Insider

Budgets, bureaucracy stall infrastructure funds

BY PAMELA GLASS Pamela Glass is the Washington, D.C., correspondent for WorkBoat. She reports on the decisions and deliberations of congressional committees and federal agencies that affect the maritime industry.

B

udgeting federal dollars to operate, maintain, and modernize the nation’s vast inland waterways has always been messy in Washington. Keeping aging locks and dams functional for commercial and recreational navigation is costly and demanding, and Congress has historically done a poor job supporting it.

Lawmakers have long allocated money inconsistently to major infrastructure projects, leading to costly slowdowns, shutdowns, and restarts that added years and millions to many modernization efforts. Congress’s frequent failure to meet budget deadlines — often relying on stopgap funding — only makes matters worse.

The Army Corps of Engineers also shares blame for delays and overruns, due to cost miscalculations, unexpected design changes, incomplete planning, and a lack of contingency planning and field studies.

However, there have been some improvements. Congress now updates project authorizations and makes policy changes every two years through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and has significantly boosted the Corps’

8

Another common rationale is dismissing PPE that doesn’t offer 100% protection against a worst-case scenario, even if that scenario is highly unlikely. This mindset brings the most ubiquitous piece of PPE into focus: the hard hat.

We go alongside ships frequently, exposing personnel to cargo-handling risks. Ship decks are usually much higher than barge decks. From the smallest tools, hardware, and parts to cargo hoses, heavy lifts, containers, and even failed cargo-handling equipment — anything above you can easily turn from a potential hazard into a real one. Hence, the universal requirement to wear hard hats on deck.

It’s understood that if a cargo container falls on you, a hard hat won’t offer meaningful protection. But that’s a weak argument. Containers rarely get dropped on people.

What’s common is the dropping of smaller items that are still potentially lethal: nuts and bolts, twist-locks, lashing bars, turnbuckles, shackles, wrenches, etc., any of which can kill or maim. A hard hat offers full or partial protection from the most likely negative outcomes.

You wear one to deflect a falling adjustable wrench, not a meteor strike. You wear it so you can go home in one piece. civil works budget in recent years.

But the Trump administration has aimed to cut federal spending and reduce the workforce. In June, it proposed a “skinny budget” for fiscal year 2026, allocating $6.66 billion for the Corps’ civil works program — $2 billion less than Congress provided in each of the previous two years.

While exact numbers are unclear, estimates suggest up to 3,000 workers were lost through firings and voluntary buyouts, including probationary employees. This has raised concerns about public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and the loss of institutional knowledge and technical expertise.

Congressional hearings in June and September highlighted concerns about staffing cuts, inconsistent dredging, and the Corps’ ability to fulfill its missions and carry out directives.

“You have been dealt a terrible hand by the president,” said Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., at a House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing. “You are in one serious mess.”

Committee Chairman Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., said his goal “is to get the Corps to complete its projects on time, under budget, and correctly,” while criticizing delays, dredging backlogs, and repair mismanagement.

There are signs Congress will again reject proposed cuts.

In July, the Republican-controlled House approved a FY 2026 energy and water budget of $9.88 billion — more than $3 billion over the president’s request. The bill prioritizes ongoing work and increases funding for inland river projects.

While the bill “represents a step forward” for modernizing inland waterways, issues like maintenance backlogs, rising construction costs, workforce shortages, and long project timelines continue to be “vexing,” Tracy Zea, president and CEO of the Waterways Council Inc., wrote in a newsletter. www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

AT-A-GLANCE

Health, Safety, and Environment Value of cross-training employees

BY RICHARD PAINE JR. Richard Paine, Jr. is a licensed mariner and certified maritime safety auditor with over 25 years of maritime industry experience. He is currently a senior VP at the Hornblower Group and can be reached at rjpainejr@gmail.com.

F

inancial profitability is a key measure of business success, but sustaining it depends on operational efficiency.

So, how can a business improve efficiency to boost margins and remain profitable? The answer lies in strategic decisions that ensure the delivery of quality products or services.

For maritime organizations, one of the most crucial steps is investing in effective employee training programs.

When a company invests time and resources into employee training, it builds a workforce that is competent, knowledgeable, and better equipped to achieve the company’s goals

and serve its customers effectively. In the maritime industry, training is often tailored to specific roles. For example, it makes sense to provide advanced firefighting or radar navigation training to masters or licensed deck officers. It would be inefficient to allocate those resources to roles that don’t require such specialized training. However, there is an opportunity to expand training for other employees in ways that better support overall operations.

When employees receive training beyond their traditional roles, the entire operation benefits. If a shoreside employee understands vessel sound signals, they are better prepared to respond, or even act preemptively, during an emergency.

This knowledge can enhance their ability to carry out crowd control duties more efficiently or improve communication and coordination with responders and support teams.

These benefits aren’t limited to shoreside staff. Onboard personnel can also provide critical support outside their primary roles. Imagine a small trash fire being quickly extinguished by a crewmember who doesn’t typically participate in firefighting drills but knows how to use a fire extinguisher thanks to basic safety training. That single action could prevent millions in damage, injury claims, or reputational harm.

The value of cross-training across roles is clear, and the opportunities for it are virtually limitless.

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AT-A-GLANCE

Legal Talk Case falls outside scope of the Jones Act

BY TIM AKPINAR Tim Akpinar is a Little Neck, N.Y.-based maritime attorney and former marine engineer. He can be reached at 718-224-9824 or t.akpinar@verizon.net.

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hen a maritime injury isn’t covered by the Jones Act, it’s usually because the claimant can’t meet the twopart test for “seaman status”: (1) contributing to a vessel’s function and (2) having a substantial connection to a vessel.

This is grounded in the seminal maritime law decision in Chandris v. Latsis, 115 S. Ct. 2172 (1995).

But a recent case from the Southern District of Texas challenged Jones Act coverage for a different reason. The injured mariner was told his case fell under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). He was hurt aboard a drillship struck by Hurricane Ida and filed a Jones Act negligence claim in the 164th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas.

Vessel interests responded by trying to remove the case to

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federal court as an OCSLA case. They argued that under OCSLA, federal courts have jurisdiction over (1) operations on the Outer Continental Shelf involving the extraction of minerals and that (2) plaintiff’s injuries wouldn’t have occurred if not for these operations. They claimed that the mariner fraudulently pleaded a Jones Act claim.

In response, the plaintiff mariner argued that he was injured after these OCSLA-related activities were finished. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the mariner, finding that he did not fraudulently plead the Jones Act. The court pointed out that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not permit removal or severance of an action containing a Jones Act claim and a general maritime claim. “Removal” is the act of moving a case from state court to federal court. The case here was sent back to the original state court.

Maybe this reminds us that there are laws other than the Jones Act that cover maritime professionals. There is OCSLA, discussed above, which usually covers oil platform workers and others who work in the Outer Continental Shelf region.

There is also the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which covers cargo terminals, shipyards, and marine construction sites. While maritime settings could appear similar at first glance, sometimes it takes a closer look to determine which law fits best.

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AT-A-GLANCE

Energy Level

Is the oil and gas industry performing?

A

How AI is reshaping marine insurance

BY G. ALLEN BROOKS

BY DAN BOOKHAM

G. Allen Brooks is an energy analyst. In his over-50year career in energy and investment he has served as an energy security analyst, oil service company manager, and a member of the board of directors for several oilfield service companies.

Dan Bookham is a vice president with Allen Insurance & Financial. He specializes in longshore, offshore and shipyard risk. He can be reached at 1-800-236-4311 or dbookham@allenif.com.

recent study from the International Energy Agency (IEA) states that decline rates of oil and gas fields are central to its modeling and analysis.

The IEA report notes: “Nearly 90% of annual upstream oil and gas investment since 2019 has been dedicated to offsetting production declines rather than to meet demand growth.

Investment in 2025 is set to be around $570 billion, and if this persists, modest production growth could continue in the future. But a relatively small drop in upstream investment can mean the difference between oil and gas supply growth and static production. At the same time, less investment is required in a scenario in which demand contracts.”

That paragraph provides ammunition for climate activists who criticize the continued use of oil and gas to power the global economy. But it also acknowledges that the oil and gas industry has been doing a yeoman’s job satisfying global energy demand while maintaining financial discipline. After the 2015 oil market crash, investors demanded companies reduce debt, reinvest to sustain output and modestly grow production, and return surplus capital to shareholders.

Last year, major oil companies returned a record $130 billion to shareholders while reinvesting 90% of cash flow to sustain and grow production, meeting shareholder expectations.

Climate activists pounced on the IEA quote’s final sentence, claiming it suggests no investment should be made if the world is to remain below the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 1.5°C target. They claim the report aligns with the IEA’s view that reaching net zero is essential to saving the planet.

A draft of the upcoming World Energy Outlook notes the IEA is reintroducing the Current Policies Scenario, reflecting the reality of global climate actions in forecasting 2050 oil consumption. The IEA now projects the world will need about 18 million barrels per day more in 2050 than it previously forecast, having once targeted a peak in oil use by 2030.

Notably, the report says that to sustain global oil supply and meet future demand, the industry must annually discover 10 billion barrels of oil and 1,000 billion cubic meters of natural gas, slightly more than in recent years. The IEA notes this is achievable within a financially disciplined plan. The task is likely to be welcomed, as it comes with higher oil prices as an incentive. It’s also consistent with the IEA’s return to its original mandate: focusing on energy security over climate policy — a welcome shift.

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Insurance Watch

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rtificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming commercial and marine insurance, reshaping everything from underwriting and claims to customer service and risk management. For insurance buyers, understanding these changes is key to securing the best coverage and staying ahead in a shifting landscape.

AI allows insurers to analyze vast datasets — including claims history, sensor data, weather patterns, and inspection reports — to produce more accurate risk assessments. The result is dynamic, tailored pricing that rewards well-managed operations with lower exposure to risk.

On the claims side, AI is streamlining processes through automation — from first notice of loss to damage assessment using image and video analysis. It enhances fraud detection and speeds up settlements. In marine insurance, AI can analyze onboard CCTV and sensor data in near real-time to assess incidents and predict risks like equipment failure or dangerous routes.

AI also boosts insurer efficiency. From chatbots to task automation, insurers are using AI to improve service and reduce manual workloads, allowing human staff to focus on complex or strategic issues.

So, what does this mean for insurance buyers? In short: be proactive.

Start by asking questions. If your premiums or coverage change, ask how AI influenced the decision. Understanding the data behind these assessments is crucial. When comparing providers, ask how they use AI — not just for pricing but also for claims handling and customer service. This reveals both opportunities (like faster service or better terms) and potential concerns around data privacy.

Run a tight operation. As AI enables more detailed risk analysis, businesses with strong safety practices and clean data may benefit from better rates. Those with weaker records may face tougher terms.

Know your data. Understand what your business collects (e.g., telematics, sensor readings, operational metrics), ensure it’s accurate, and be ready to share it with context to show you're a low-risk operation. Just as important: safeguard it. Strong data security and privacy policies are essential, and your insurer should meet or exceed those standards.

Finally, work with experts. Brokers who understand AI’s impact can help interpret changes, spot opportunities, and ensure your coverage keeps up with a fast-evolving market. www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

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AT-A-GLANCE

Captain’s Table Seeking regulatory relief

BY CAPT. ALAN BERNSTEIN Alan Bernstein, owner of BB Riverboats in Cincinnati, is a licensed master and a former president of the Passenger Vessel Association. He can be reached at 859-292-2449 or abernstein@bbriverboats.com.

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recent letter from the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) has urged the Trump administration to reduce regulatory burdens on the domestic passenger vessel industry.

The request is timely, given the administration’s clear focus on cutting unnecessary and inefficient regulations to support business. While some regulation in the maritime industry is justified, much of it could be eliminated.

PVA is seeking relief from federal regulations that burden the industry, starting with the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). PVA has requested that both credentialed and non-credentialed mariners be exempt from the TWIC requirement. TWIC is costly, problematic for employees — especially seasonal workers — and offers little real security value. The PVA Alternate Security Program already addresses

Credentialing Insight

Sea service recency period extended

BY NATE GILMAN Nate Gilman, president of MM-SEAS USCG Licensing Software, uses his hawsepiping experience to support mariners and workforce development. Connect on LinkedIn.

I

n a major win for maritime professionals, the Coast Guard has extended the sea service recency period for all national officer endorsements from three years to seven years, effective immediately.

The change, announced in a Sept. 12 policy letter from the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing, is a commonsense reform that removes a significant barrier to career advancement and helps retain experienced mariners. This move aligns the requirement for all mariners with the sevenyear period previously allowed for members of the uniformed services, creating a single, fair standard.

This policy is a direct result of the administration’s push to make federal rules that support, rather than hinder, Ameri14

all substantive security concerns.

In its letter, PVA also asked that the requirement for passenger vessels of 79' or larger to file a Vessel General Permit for incidental discharges of wastewater with EPA be rescinded. We believe that the regulation is misplaced for our types of vessels, is ineffective in protecting the environment, and the EPA’s recordkeeping requirement is confusing and burdensome.

PVA’s regulatory reform list includes a long-standing request for the Coast Guard to extend the five-year drydock interval.

This would provide flexibility amid limited drydock availability and allow for internal structural exams and risk-based decision-making in inspections.

Servicing Inflatable Buoyant Apparatus annually is costly and time-consuming for passenger vessel operators. PVA has asked the Coast Guard to extend the inspection interval to every two years, which would significantly cut costs without compromising safety.

These are just a few examples of the regulations that PVA is asking the Trump administration to either rescind or amend.

Others deal with lighting, day shapes, flares, and merchant mariner documents. It is important that we seriously evaluate the regulations that have accrued over the years and take steps to eliminate those that are inefficient and obsolete. If we do not, then we in the maritime industry will be unable to meet the challenges of the future.

can industry and is a decisive step in strengthening the U.S. maritime sector.

For years, the three-year “use-it-or-lose-it” look-back period penalized mariners with valid, but older, sea time.

This disproportionately affected two key groups: experienced mariners who transitioned to critical shoreside roles and academy graduates pursuing diverse career paths.

Under the old rule, a port captain with decades of experience might be blocked from upgrading their license because their sea time was more than three years old. Similarly, an unlimited tonnage mate working in a shoreside capacity for a towing company would face a major hurdle if they decided to add a Mate of Towing endorsement to their credential. They would have been forced to go back to sea simply to meet the recency clock, despite their extensive knowledge.

The new seven-year period solves this problem. It acknowledges that valuable experience doesn’t expire after 36 months and gives maritime professionals the flexibility to advance their careers without being forced to take redundant voyages.

Mariners who may have been previously denied an endorsement for failing to meet the three-year requirement are now encouraged to reapply if they meet the new seven-year standard.

This reform is precisely the kind of practical, impactful change that helps the U.S. maritime industry retain its most skilled and experienced personnel, ensuring the sector remains strong and competitive. www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

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IN BUSINESS Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

On Ice

Year-round operations on the Last Frontier.

By Ben Hayden, Senior Associate Editor

I

n August, WorkBoat visited Cook Inlet Tug & Barge LLC (CITB), Anchorage, Alaska, to get a closer look at what it takes to operate tugboats in one of the harshest marine environments in the U.S. Early in the conversation with CITB president Jeff Johnson, terms like “ice-shadowing” and “turtle-plated” tugboat hulls underscored just how unique and challenging working along Alaska’s rugged coastline can be.

“We work Anchorage year-round,” said Johnson. “All the ships and barges that come in here year-round we manage. Port of Seward as well. And seasonally, we work Western Alaska, pretty much Bristol Bay to Canada.

And then we have three boats that remain in Prudhoe year-round.”

In Anchorage and Seward, CITB 16

CITB, Trent Foldager

Cook Inlet Tug & Barge crews operate in some of the most challenging conditions in the U.S.

focuses on ship assist services and handles petroleum, bulk, container, railroad, and military movements.

Johnson estimates around 400 ship calls annually at Anchorage, with about 300 of those being cargo vessels. The primary liner customers are Matson Inc., Honolulu, and TOTE Maritime, Jacksonville, Fla.

PRUDHOE BAY Outside of Anchorage, CITB’s tugs support oil and gas, mining, and village resupply. In Prudhoe Bay, above the Arctic Circle, the company stations three 64'x27' shallow-draft, triple-screw, 1,000-hp River-class tugs year-round. Built in the 1970s

by Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, Calif., the tugs are paired with two deck barges and operate in just 3.5' of

water.

“When we say shallow draft tug, and I go shopping for one in the Gulf, you know, four-foot draft with any suitable horsepower…there’s nothing out there,” Johnson said. “Prudhoe Bay is six to eight feet deep. You come in with a barge, it’s five feet. It’s critical, you could go miles offshore and still only be in 20 feet of water,” Johnson said.

The Prudhoe Bay tugs are “the same vintage as the Invaders,” said Ken Audette, CITB chief engineer.

“Crowley built like five of them in the ’70s, as the first of the class when they were building the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. So, they were specifically designed for that area, with those barges, and we’re still operating them now, going on 55 years later. Everything’s very specifically different up here,” he said.

Prudhoe Bay tug maintenance is performed in late October, after which the River-class tugs are laid up on the beach for the winter. CITB also rolls its barges onto the beach using its own bags, while the tugs are craned ashore. “We just haul them out on the beach all winter,” Johnson said.

Also in Prudhoe Bay, CITB’s operations extend beyond commercial work to support indigenous communities with whaling projects and project logistics. The company is sometimes chartered to transport gear to Cross Island, running heavy equipment out to assist with beach landings. “Where we can help, we do,” Johnson said, noting that CITB often steps in to move equipment for other entities when needed.

At the time of discussion, the CITB team was screeding an area called Oliktok — in the Arctic Ocean near the Prudhoe Bay oil fields — to get it ready for project barge operations.

Depending on the equipment, some barges can work off floats and lift cargo directly onto the beach, while others are designed to sink and roll heavy gear ashore.

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

Cook Inlet Tug & Barge

Back in Anchorage, while not icebreakers, CITB’s tug fleet is outfitted strictly for Alaskan conditions.

“We work in ice, and through our experience, we’ve added stuff to these boats,” Johnson said. That includes steel covers over grid coolers, reinforced drive units, additional plating on bows, and structural half-frames to strengthen hulls, Audette said.

Winter temperatures in Anchorage can dip to 20 below zero, which means heating systems are also critical. Boilers circulate PEX tubing to heat decks and staterooms. “A lot of times, the engine rooms are hot enough, [and] we stay ice-free,” Johnson said. “But areas that aren’t ice-free, we’ll run PEX tubing.”

“We’ve added a bunch of extra steel framing. And then crazy turtle plating on

Cook Inlet Tug and Barge

CHALLENGING TIDAL OPERATIONS

CITB tug Stellar Wind assists a Matson containership through thick ice in Port of Anchorage.

the front… All of our tugs out here have some version of that. We have 5,000 horse [power] on tap. If we want it, we’re gonna get through,” Audette said.

On days with thick ice, the crews

often fall into a “momma and baby duck routine” depending on ice conditions. “You guys will have to come in the winter, it’s pretty gnarly… You can really tell the current when the ice is

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IN BUSINESS Cook Inlet Tug & Barge frozen. When you see that piece of ice going at six knots, you get a different perspective.”

Cook Inlet’s ice, fast currents, and tides that can swing 25' to 40' in six hours also demand a high level of precision. When docking cargo ships in the winter on an iced-out river, CITB crews perform a maneuver they

call “ice-shadowing”, where, on a flood tide, a tug will nose against the dock, creating an “ice-shadow” while two higher horsepower tugs sweep ice pans away as the ship is guided into a cleared pocket.

“If ice re-enters between ship and dock, the approach resets — timing is tight against the tide window,” a crew-

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member explained. In harsh winters, when ice can reach 3' thick, CITB has run leapfrog escorts with two tugs to keep lanes open for oilfield supply vessels.

CITB crews also battle relentless glacial silt. In the summer, the Army Corps of Engineers runs a small aluminum boat with a multibeam transducer for bathymetry work.

“The mud just fills in constantly. All that stuff back there’s like a second project,” said CITB Capt. Wayne Humbert, pointing to the silt. “There’s a suction dredge that comes out here as soon as the ice leaves every year, and they just maintenance dredge the whole port. The company that has that contract right now is Manson,” he said.

When ice sets in, CITB’s boats step in to help maintain the channel, with two tugs that have a moon port in their bows. “They...put their multibeam transducer on there so we can go run the ice, do all the bathymetry for ’em. In the wintertime, it slows down. It’s not once a week. We do it roughly once a month.”

Winter ice can also threaten the company’s shoreside lifeline. “That’s the worst part of it right there, that Blue Mile,” Humbert said. “In the wintertime, all the beach ice slowly moves offshore. It’s like a glacier. So, you come out here and some mornings the catwalk will start to lean over,” he said. Crews maintain access by hand when ice presses in.

“We go up and we got an ice auger and a chainsaw with a long bar, go up around the pilings and basically just cut out all of the ice. On the average year, that beach ice around the pilings is about eight to 10 feet down. You’re just kind of stepping your way down to get to the bottom of the piling,” he said.

Speaking to the difficulty of operations and the experience of the crew, Johnson said, “There’s a thrill factor.

There’s a professional challenge factor these guys really enjoy,” he said before joking, “versus looking at the side of a steel ship in Oakland.”

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

Cook Inlet Tug & Barge BLUE MILE CAUSEWAY the ice floes before they hit the boats.”

Anchorage lacks a small-boat harCITB has operated in Anchorage bor, making it difficult for operators since 1964, later rebuilding the Blue to establish a homebase for their fleet, Mile facility in 2012 with new floating so CITB built its own. “We built our configurations. In 2021, the company own causeway,” Johnson said before acquired a flat deck freight barge from noting that CITB leased tide land from local contractor Brice Marine, Fairthe Alaska Railroad Corp., Anchorbanks, and outfitted it with pile clamps age, and began developing its own and UHMW-type sheathing that allow facilities, known as the Blue Mile. maintenance or even drydocking when “We’ve built our own floating facility needed. Johnson said that “safety is our that’s … ice-protected and put in a batnumber one value. And getting on and ter piling on each end of the facility,” off boats is always tricky. Add ice, add Johnson said. “As the ice floes come currents, add wind, cold temperatures,” Hayata Ad 2025_2.qxp_Layout 2:01�PM Page 1 and go,Workboat the diagonal pilings break up 1 9/18/25 he said.

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Major repairs and drydockings typically run through Highmark Marine Fabrication LLC, Kodiak, about a 24-hour transit, while the company completes as much routine maintenance in-house as possible.

Reliability is critical, as roughly 80% of Alaska’s goods move across Anchorage’s docks. “If Matson were to come in and we say, ‘We’re down’, there’s no one else,” Johnson said. “We’re excited to be here. We take what we do seriously, because customers and communities across the state depend on it.”

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ON THE WAYS CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AT WORKBOAT YARDS

Siemens Energy

New ferry brings green advantages to the Big Apple

The name Harbor Charger was selected from more than 800 submissions in a citywide naming competition.

G

overnors Island is a 172-acre island in New York Harbor, located half a mile from Lower Manhattan. Once a military outpost, it has been transformed into a vibrant public space offering parks, historic buildings, art installations, and panoramic views of the city.

This summer, the trust that manages Governors Island took delivery of the Harbor Charger, New York’s first diesel-electric hybrid ferry. Built at Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, La., and designed by Elliott Bay Design Group, Seattle, the $33 million doubleended car and passenger vessel measures 190'x62'2"x13'3" with an 8'6" draft.

Since opening to the public in 2005, Governors Island has become a hub for climate innovation, now serving as “a model for the research and demonstration of climate solutions for cities,” a Trust for Governors Island spokesperson told WorkBoat. The island hosts several climate-focused tenants and will soon be home to the New York Climate Exchange. “The addition of the Harbor Charger to our fleet helps us make significant progress toward the island’s sustainability while serving as a model for low to no-emissions maritime transportation,” the spokesperson said.

With capacity for 1,200 passengers 20

and 30 vehicles, the Subchapter Kcompliant Harbor Charger replaces the aging Lt. Samuel S. Coursen, a dieselpowered workhorse that’s been in service between Manhattan and Governors Island since 1956. The new ferry offers faster, cleaner, and more efficient service for the nearly one million passengers who visit Governors Island each year.

The Harbor Charger runs on Siemens Energy’s BlueDrive Eco diesel-electric propulsion system, supported by the company’s battery systems and digital control platform — the “brain” of the ferry, according to Julio Santiago, general manager for NY Waterway, Weehawken, N.J., which operates the trust’s ferry fleet.

The system allows the operator to both control and monitor the vessel’s power and propulsion. “Everything’s digital. You can see the condition of the batteries and the whole system in the office or from your phone,” said Santiago.

“If I’m home and I get an alarm, I can call and say, ‘Hey, what’s going on?’”

Equipped with 870 kWh of Siemens Energy BVES-V3X batteries (split evenly between two battery rooms) and a pair of Cummins QSK 19 diesel generators that provide 656 kWm at 1,800 rpm, the vessel can toggle between three modes

of operation: fully battery-powered, hybrid electric with diesel assist, and diesel backup. In hybrid mode alone, it’s expected to cut carbon emissions by nearly 600 tons annually.

The power setup also offers several operational advantages, according to Ed Schwarz, head of marine sales for the U.S. and Canada at Siemens Energy.

The hybrid arrangement allows the generators to run at a constant, optimal load. “We can hold them there, take all the power, and then put it to the batteries or drop a generator if we have enough power. It gives us flexibility. What you want the propeller to do doesn’t necessarily have to link to exactly what the engine’s going to be asked to do,” he explained. “There will be maintenance benefits as well through less wear and tear on the generators.”

“We view this as a battery-first vessel, with the diesel plant serving as a secondary power supply,” said Anthony Pervolarakis, director of engineering and special projects at NY Waterway.

“When shoreside rapid charging becomes available, the vessel will operate on all-electric, emissions-free power.”

Funded in part by a $7.5 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, charging infrastructure is in the design phase. Once completed, emissions could be reduced by an additional 800 tons annually, according to the trust.

“The vessel was designed with redundant modular systems — or “building blocks,” as Siemens [Energy] refers to them — integrating two independent buses joined by the Intelligent Load Controller (ILC). Under normal conditions, the buses operate in parallel, and the ILC distributes power as needed to meet demand,” said Pervolarakis. “If a failure occurs in one of the building blocks, the buses separate, allowing the vessel to continue operating on the intact bus without service disruption. This modularity ensures continued operations while repairs are made.”

Enhanced maneuverability is made possible by two 360° Schottel SRP 210 LEC FP azimuthing thrusters, each driven by a 560-kW motor, allowing for smoother docking and navigation across

www.workboat.com • NOVERMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

the busy harbor. Harbor Charger cruises at 10-12 knots.

Onboard equipment includes a Furuno navigation suite, Ultra Fog water mist system, Hiller fire detection system, Li-ion Tamer and Consilium gas detection systems, BrightSign informational video alert, and IMS public address/general alarm and closed-circuit television camera systems.

“Redundant safety systems and automation technologies provided by Siemens enable our captains and crews to focus on vessel operations and passenger safety while maintaining full situational awareness of all systems from the wheelhouse operator’s station,” said Pervolarakis.

“Governors Island is accessible only by ferry, and it is vital that our nearly one million annual riders are able to enjoy a safe, comfortable, and efficient ride to the island,” the trust spokesperson said. “With amenities including air conditioning, accessible restrooms, indoor lounge areas, and space for service vehicles — all of which were designed with these goals in mind — the Harbor Charger has exceeded expectations during its first month in service.

“The feedback from our riders has been incredible, especially our everyday riders, who have noticed just how quiet our hybrid engine is compared to our older, diesel engine.” — Eric Haun

Arc, Curtin Maritime partner on $160 million hybrid-electric tug fleet

A

rc Boats, Los Angeles, has signed a $160 million contract with Curtin Maritime Corp., Long Beach, Calif., for a fleet of eight hybrid-electric ship assist tugboats. The order is being described as the largest commercial deployment of electric workboats to date.

The tugs will be built by Snow & Co., Seattle, with the first four scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027.

Each tug will be powered by Arc’s integrated electric propulsion system, producing more than 4,000 hp and supported by a 6-MWh battery buffer. The first four vessels measure 80'9"x42'3"

Arc

ON THE WAYS

Curtin Maritime’s upcoming hybrid-electric ship assist tugs, designed with Arc powertrains and under construction at Snow & Co.

with a 12.5' draft, twin 2,000-hp L-drive thrusters, and a bollard pull of 55 tons.

Arc CEO Mitch Lee explained that this is not a pilot program or a grantbacked demonstration, but a direct investment in hybrid-electric propulsion as a cost-competitive option.

“This is a really big deal for the industry,” Lee told WorkBoat, noting that Arc and Curtin are moving forward without government subsidies. “It’s a big deal for the commercial industry as a whole, because two profit-seeking companies, Arc and Curtin Maritime, have decided that the best way to drive profit in this industry is to adopt a new technology.

“Curtin doesn’t need to go electric,” he explained. “They could go diesel, and they are choosing to do that [transition to electric]. It speaks to where the technology is today, that we are at this inflection point where the technology has reached a level of maturity that it can compete on its own.”

According to Lee, the private financing behind the deal demonstrates the strength of the business case. With Arc vertically integrating its powertrain systems, he said the tugs can match diesel vessels on acquisition cost while delivering savings in fuel, maintenance, and compliance over the long term.

Lee explained that Arc will retain ownership of the tugs, while Curtin will operate them under a long-term, bareboat charter arrangement.

“The Port of Los Angeles is where things will start, in part because of the charging infrastructure there and be-

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

cause we are both local,” Lee said. “But the intent is to then continue to build these and spread them out across other ports along the West Coast.”

“It’s a pretty conservative industry,” Lee noted, adding that shipbuilding has generally been slow to adopt innovations compared to other sectors. The industry has fallen behind in attracting the kind of investment commonly seen in other sectors, he added.

Lee described Curtin as a notable exception, citing their ambition, speed, and early interest in technology — even before formal discussions began. “They’re going big,” he added.

“This isn’t a ‘Let’s do a little pilot project.’ This is, ‘We are committed to this technology and we’re going to go be cost competitive in part because we are going to do a volume commitment,’” Lee stated. “So now we have an opportunity to escape that trap of ordering everything as a one-off…let’s go actually build a fleet of boats. And that gives you a lot of pricing power.”

Curtin’s decision to place a large-scale order helps avoid the inefficiencies of building vessels one at a time, Lee said.

Lee added that Arc leaned on Curtin’s operational knowledge and its existing relationship with Snow & Co. and designer Jay Edgar. “We know a lot about electric powertrains and have a lot to learn on the vessel construction side,” he said. “Curtin in turn really values and trusts Snow & Co., so it was kind of a no-brainer to use that shipyard. Between the three of us, I think we are bringing 21

a lot of collective expertise to make a product that can meet and exceed the demands of ship-assist operations.”

Arc has started talks with the Coast Guard to ensure certification moves forward smoothly, Lee said. The company is sourcing battery technology that’s already validated by the automotive industry, which Lee noted often meets or exceeds Coast Guard requirements. “We feel comfortable with the regulatory side of this and are not taking it lightly, but we feel comfortable with it,” he said.

Construction is underway, with the first hull expected to hit the water by late 2026. The first four vessels will be sisterships, while the next four will likely vary in size but follow the same basic architecture. Lee said both companies want to move quickly: “Curtin wants to move just as fast as we want to move and we plan to do exactly that.”

Lee stressed that the bigger message is about long-term industry transformation. From his perspective, hybrid-electric technology is no longer experimental. It is commercially viable. “What we are saying to the industry is that this technology is now directly competitive on cost,” he said. “You get all the benefits downstream — lower fuel costs, higher uptime, less maintenance, and fewer compliance headaches.”

Ultimately, Lee framed the deal as the start of something larger. “We want to go help repower the entire industry,” he said. “We want to go help rebuild and modernize this industry around what we believe is fundamentally better technology in electric and hybrid-electric powertrains.” — Ben Hayden

Research vessel delivered to Cal Poly Humboldt

A

ll American Marine (AAM), Bellingham, Wash., has delivered a 78'x27'6" research vessel to Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata, Calif. The semidisplacement aluminum catamaran North Wind was designed by Teknicraft Design, Auckland, New Zealand, to operate in the coastal waters of northern California and Oregon and on offshore and ocean routes.

22

All American Marine

ON THE WAYS

North Wind is engineered for offshore exploration, oceanographic research, and environmental monitoring.

According to the builder, the Teknicraft design with a hydrofoilassisted hull provides excellent fuel economy, consuming around the same gallons per nautical mile throughout the estimated cruising speed of 18-24 knots, with a fuel-efficient survey operation speed of 4-8 knots, fully laden. Its fuel capacity is 1,600 gals. The vessel is capable of fully laden cruising at speeds exceeding 28 knots at 80% engine load.

“The vessel integrates the signature Teknicraft Design symmetrical and asymmetrical combined hull shape, bow wave piercer, and a patented dynamic hydrofoil-assisted hull design,” AAM said. “The hull and hull components are designed to break up wave action and ensure reduced drag while enhancing passenger comfort. This design is proven to have both low-wake wash energy and increased fuel economy.”

The boat’s propulsion package includes two fixed-pitch propellers powered by twin MAN D2862LE438 EPA Tier 4 engines rated at 1,182 bhp at 2,100 rpm and equipped with diesel particulate filters to meet California emissions requirements.

The $8.5 million North Wind was built to replace the university’s existing research vessel, the 90'x22'4" Coral Sea — built in 1974 by Lindwell Boatworks, Santa Barbara, Calif. The Subchapter T vessel can carry up to 40 day passengers or 14 live-aboard.

Eric Riggs, dean of Cal Poly Hum-

boldt’s College of Natural Resources & Sciences, said North Wind has been designed and built “specifically to advance our academic vision of educating future scientists, while keeping the latest environmental standards in mind.”

“The R/V North Wind [expands] our reach and capabilities in research and teaching throughout the North Coast,” said Riggs. “The new vessel adds capacity for addressing modern marine science, conservation, and economic issues that are directly relevant to communities and agencies in our region. It allows the university to be a full partner in the economic and scientific future of the offshore Blue Economy and allows our students to gain applicable skills and experiences in this growing area.”

The vessel features large wet and dry lab spaces as well Okeanus hydraulic deck machinery capable of handling up to 5,000 lbs. of oceanographic equipment and instrumentation. Its deck is designed to facilitate divers entering the water from two dive platforms at the stern. The vessel’s laboratory and pilothouse is equipped with state-ofthe-art navigation and oceanographic electronics. The vessel is outfitted with a Kongsberg ADCP electronics suite augmented by a fixed WASSP multibeam system.

AAM said that North Wind incorporates proven design elements of two research vessels that it delivered previously: the Shackleford for Geodynamics, Newport, N.C., which was named a 2023 WorkBoat Significant Boat of the Year, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Imua, delivered in 2023.

Riggs said the builder’s earlier builds influenced Cal Poly officials’ decision to order its new boat from AAM. “They have an excellent record designing and building state-of-the-art research vessels to the performance specifications we need on California’s North Coast, and this was a key consideration when we chose them as our builder. Upon completion, this vessel will become the centerpiece of our academic fleet, supporting our marine research and teaching efforts for decades to come.”

— WorkBoat Staff

www.workboat.com • NOVERMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

ON THE WAYS

Austal USA

Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding

T

he Coast Guard has awarded an $11.8 million fixedprice, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to North River Boats, Roseburg, Ore., for the procurement of up to 66 new workboats. The 21' vessels, designated as Cutter Boat – Aids to Navigation – Small (CB-ATON-S), will support the Coast Guard’s aids to navigation missions.

The Association of Maryland Pilots recently took delivery of the Severn, the pilots’ fifth Chesapeake Class launch built by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corp., Somerset, Mass.

With a deep-V hull by Ray Hunt Design, the all-aluminum highspeed launch measures 52.6'x16.8' with a 4.8' draft.

Two Volvo Penta D16, EPA Tier 3-certified diesel engines each produce 750 hp at 1,900 rpm, for a vessel top speed over 27 knots.

Marine Chartering Associates LLC, Houston, has taken delivery of a new 65'x26' retractable towboat from Verret Shipyard Inc., Plaquemine, La. Operated by Strategic Towing Services LLC, Orange, Texas, the Eunice features twin Cummins QSK19 main engines rated 750 hp each at 1,800 rpm.

On Aug. 26, the Maritime Administration celebrated the christening of the State of Maine, the third of five new National Security Multi-Mission Vessels, at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Philadelphia. Built for Maine Maritime Academy, the 525'1"x88'7"x21'4" ship will serve as a next-generation training platform, supporting both the academic development of cadets and America’s humanitarian relief.

Austal USA launched the company’s first 139'x31' Navy landing craft utility (LCU) vessel at its shipyard in Mobile, Ala., on Aug. 22. LCU 1710 is the first of 12 Navy LCUs under contract at Austal USA, part of a $91.5 million contract awarded by the Navy in 2023. The shipyard has three LCUs under construction.

The Coast Guard has awarded Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La., a contract for the construction of 10 additional Sentinel-Class fast response cutters (FRC). The

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

award, funded through the $1 billion allocated for FRCs in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, brings the total number of FRCs under contract from 67 to 77.

Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors LLC, Lockport, La., launched the Armor One barge, a replacement for the Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District’s 79-year-old Mat Sinking Unit. Once complete, Armor One will revolutionize mat-sinking operations – reducing risk, increasing output, and minimizing downtime, all while enhancing the Corps’ ability to maintain resilient, navigable waterways, it said.

The Navy has accepted delivery of the 92'x48' Ship to Shore Connector, Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 114 from Textron Systems, marking the latest addition to the service’s fleet of amphibious connectors. The delivery took place Aug. 28, following the completion of acceptance trials in New Orleans.

The Navy accepted delivery of the third in a series of 10 new yard, repair, berthing, and messing (YRBM) barges.

Built at Conrad Shipyard's Amelia, La., facility, YRBM 59 was delivered on Aug. 31 and will be homeported in San Diego. The 151'4"x49'4" ABS A1 accommodation barge provides pierside living quarters for service men and women whose vessels are in port for repairs and maintenance.

General Dynamics NASSCO, San Diego, has taken delivery of a new floating drydock with a lifting capacity of 35,000 tons. The 830'x177'x69' drydock was built

by Gemak in Yalova, Turkey. It replaces the 40-year-old NASSCO Builder, which was sold to Everett Ship Repair LLC, Everett, Wash., and renamed Hercules.

Defense company Eureka Naval Craft, Houston, has entered into an agreement with Bordelon Marine Shipbuilders, Houma, La., to construct its warships. The memorandum of understanding will provide the production-ready AIRCAT Bengal-MC modular attack surface craft and Jaguar landing craft to meet the requirements of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG), Panama City, Fla., has entered into an agreement with HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division to produce outfitted structural units for the U.S. Navy’s Flight III Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers. The agreement follows a pilot program at ESG’s Nelson Street Facility in Panama City, where the yard successfully built a limited number of DDG units.

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BOATBUILDING BITTS

23

COVER STORY

Pacific Northwest shipyards are in a world all their own.

By Eric Haun, Executive Editor

T

he Pacific Northwest is a key hub of the U.S. maritime industry, home to dozens of small and large shipyards that support a diverse range of commercial and government customers. These include the nation’s largest ferry system, a significant portion of the U.S. commercial fishing industry, and much of the Navy’s Pacific fleet.

The region also boasts deep expertise in naval architecture and shipbuilding.

GROWTH CURVE Among long-tenured players in the region is Gunderson Marine & Iron, 24

Portland, Ore., which opened as a repair yard in 1919. The company operates a 58-acre industrial waterfront facility — the largest side-launch shipyard on the West Coast — equipped for constructing large river and oceangoing barges as well as other types of steel vessels.

For many years, the facility was a leading builder of railcars, but its focus shifted back primarily to the marine business in 2023, when its owner, The Greenbrier Companies Inc., Lake Oswego, Ore., sold the site to Oregon Green Manufacturing LLC, a joint venture between Oregon manufacturers and businessmen Terrence Aarnio and Lee Burch, setting the company on a

Gunderson is currently building a specialized docking barge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, destined for McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

new growth course. The next year, Burch acquired full ownership of the shipyard, and he now serves as its president.

“Within the first six months that we were here, we got about $200 million worth of contracts, and it hasn’t slowed down,” said Burch. “Right now, we have about $150 to $160 million of backlog.”

Under Burch’s leadership, Gunderson is investing in training, technology, and infrastructure to enhance its capabilities, with a new outfitting dock on track for completion next summer. “In order to

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

Eric Haun

Upper Left

keep the growth going and keep things moving, we’re investing a lot of money back into the facility,” he said.

“We have some welding automation currently that we’re trying to better utilize. We have a laser cutting machine that’s basically brand new — it’s topnotch technology… We always have our eyes open for the next opportunity.

We’re looking at replacing some cranes in the next five years, too.”

The facility has produced nearly every type of steel structure imaginable, from bridges and buildings to World War II landing crafts, submarines, and even science stations, said Burch. “When rail came in and took over two-thirds of the facility, it got more specialized. Now we’re going back to that ability to build lots of different types of structures.”

Notable marine builds in recent years include the Makani Loa, a 438'x105' deck barge for Lynden Aloha Marine Lines’ Seattle to Hawaii trade delivered in 2024, as well as the U.S. Navy Mobile Ship Target (MST) MST 2301, a target for missile testing and training, delivered this summer. It is currently constructing the NSF Discovery Pier, a specialized docking barge for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, destined for McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

“We’re finding ways to be competitive throughout the country, which opens up another level of diversity for us,” said Burch, noting that Gunderson has used its large panel line to maintain a stream of bridge construction work.

Gunderson has a full in-house team handling everything from engineering and design to production, covering all crafts, including steel processing, welding, painting, blasting, electrical work, pipefitting, and outfitting. “We’ve added a hundred people in the last two years, so we’re up to 375 or more,” said Burch.

The company’s workers can seamlessly transition between marine and bridge projects as the company adjusts its project portfolio based on market demand. “There were a lot of skeptics, The Coast Guard is refitting its 47' peoplelifeboats, in the business, who said, ‘You adding to more years to can’t take rail people and have them their life expectancy.be bridge builders. You can’t take barge builders and have them build a caisson.

Eric Haun

COVER STORY

Vigor Marine Group’s 80,000-ton floating drydock Vigorous is the largest in North America.

You don’t know what you’re doing,’” said Burch. “Our crews not only know what they’re doing, it’s amazing what they’re doing.”

A UNIQUE WAY TO BUILD Diversification is a common theme among shipyards in the region. Nearby shipyard Diversified Marine Inc. (DMI), Portland, Ore., is a leading tug builder that has built vessels for many of the industry’s top operators over the past 40 years. Constricted to a footprint of less than an acre, the company has found new ways to succeed, building tugs on a floating drydock, for example.

DMI has recently partnered with Gunderson on tug projects, with Gunderson building the hulls and Diversified handling assembly and outfitting. “The model has been very successful for us,” said Frank Manning, DMI CEO. “It enables us to be more efficient and hopefully build more tugs.”

In July, DMI was acquired by private equity firm Bochi Investments LLC, Lake Oswego. The deal enabled founder Kurt Redd to exit the business, while Manning was promoted from president and COO to partner and CEO. The move will enable DMI to explore new opportunities, said Manning.

“We’re looking to expand both repair and newbuild activities, and then some vessel deconstruction as well,” he said. “We’re interested in taking on more backfilled projects internally with the capabilities

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

and resources that Bochi brings to the table.”

DMI is currently building three tugs, including the Heather S, scheduled for delivery this year to Shaver Transportation Co., Portland, and two set for delivery in 2026 to Ursa Major Holdings LLC, Los Angeles.

NEWBUILDS IN THE MIX

JT Marine Inc., Vancouver, Wash., is looking to grow through diversification too. Known primarily for repairing tugs and barges, the family-owned company has also serviced fishing boats and Coast Guard cutters. Its marine division operates a fleet of tugs, barges, and floating cranes for local contractors.

“The current mix right now is pretty much 90/10 in terms of repair versus new construction and marine division income. We are shooting to get more into new construction. I’m hoping for a 50/50 split,” said Irene Toristoja, controller at JT Marine. “I think next year it will be 60/40.”

The company’s Vancouver facility houses three drydocks (600-ton, 1,200ton, and 1,600-ton), with extensive waterfront access and covered fabrication and assembly areas. In 2021, JT Marine acquired the Foss shipyard in Rainier, Ore., giving it the capacity to take on additional work. According to Toristoja, the company is preparing for a range of newbuild projects that have not yet been announced. While tug construction is a 26

25

goal, it’s not the top priority.

“The tug market is very competitive.

Builders from the South can just close their eyes and build tugs at a cheaper rate than we can,” said Ariel Marquez, COO, JT Marine. “We’re trying to do a lot of one-offs, focusing on one-off research vessels, one-off complex fabrication.

Facility-wise, we’re not set up for a multiple flow for a panel line to build over and over. We could get there if we get the right contract, but right now we’re better off and more competitive building one-offs.”

“You have to be flexible and be able to bend in the direction that the money is flowing,” said Toristoja, referencing the shift in how federal funding is being directed toward the maritime sector.

Today, many shipyards across the U.S. are pursuing new opportunities in government shipbuilding, such as constructing submarine and warship modules for assembly at larger yards, or producing large fleets of uncrewed surface vessels. JT Marine is also exploring these

Eric Haun

COVER STORY

JT Marine, which specializes in maintenance and repair, is looking to grow in new construction.

opportunities, Marquez said, but he noted that as more shipyards shift their focus to government contracts, new gaps are likely to emerge in traditional shipbuilding. “We have our eyes on those projects too,” he said.

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COVER STORY particularly as the Navy looks to expand fleet readiness in the Pacific. Francesco Valente, a veteran shipyard executive who took over as CEO last year, said the company’s “commercial DNA” and deep technical expertise give it a unique advantage in meeting this critical demand.

“Vigor Marine Group is the only one of the major ship repair companies with a main focus on maintenance and modernization,” Valente noted. “Our commercial mindset means we can deliver for our customers by using the deep expertise we have gained to anticipate their needs and provide solutions before issues arise. This has enabled us to complete nearly every Navy availability on-time over the last decade.”

Valente emphasized that the fastest and most efficient way to meet fleet expansion goals is to maintain and modernize existing vessels, and he noted that Vigor is equipped to lead this work. “We differentiate ourselves by being solutions-focused and innovative, creating new and better ways to support our customers more efficiently and effectively,” said Valente. “A key part of that effort is working closely with our customers to plan work in ways that support our ability to perform well, and give them certainty on schedule and cost.”

Valente sees reforming the contracting model as key to long-term success.

Multi-year awards or bundling multiple vessels into one package would improve planning and support greater investment in people and facilities, he said.

Looking ahead, innovation remains central to Vigor’s strategy. The company is investing in areas such as light automation, data management, and unmanned systems. “We are facing a unique opportunity to modernize the shipbuilding and repair industries,” Valente said. “Vigor Marine Group is ready to lead that effort.”

cost of everything in this region. And it’s not pointing the finger at any particular person or agency,” said Toristoja. “In the Gulf Coast, you don’t have the regulatory agency from an environmental standpoint that we do. The yards down there aren’t held to the same standards

for permitting, waste handling, pollution and really stewardship of the waterways and the lands that they serve. Not to say that they don’t have responsibility, but it’s not as stringent as it is up here. And that definitely drives up pricing.”

Daniel Zech, business development

REGULATORY BURDENS The region is not without its challenges. Stricter environmental regulations and the higher cost of doing business are among the major obstacles, several shipyard officials told WorkBoat.

“The main challenge that we see is the www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

27

Doug Stewart

COVER STORY

AAM has found success building innovative low- and zero-emission vessels.

manager at All American Marine (AAM), Bellingham, Wash., shared a similar view. “Shipyards on Puget Sound face strict stormwater and permitting requirements tied to federal and state environmental laws, which drive up compliance costs and add lead time to facility improvements,” he said.

Asked about challenges of doing business in the region, Burch first praised the history and expertise of the industrial base. “No matter how much money you had, if you tried to rebuild this, you would really struggle,” he said. “The downside is the government regulation, the super high taxes, the

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lack of appreciation or consideration of businesses in general, and basically just kind of viewing businesses like ours as just cash machines to fund other government programs and not reinvest in the program here.”

Toristoja said that JT Marine has recently been more intentional about engaging with regulators and policymakers to help garner support for the region’s marine industrial base. “The marine community in the Pacific Northwest is extensive, but very small [compared with the Gulf]. And I think that we’re seeing a shift in that if we can come together, then as the harbor fills, we all float,” she said.

IT PAYS TO BE PROACTIVE AAM, which holds contracts for passenger ferries, hybrid research vessels, tour boats, and patrol craft, takes a proactive approach to regulatory challenges as state and local mandates along the West Coast drive the shift to low- and zero-emission vessels.

“Downstream regulatory mandates, particularly from California’s Air Resources Board, require AAM to design vessels with Tier 4 engines, hybrid propulsion, or zero-emission platforms even before the market fully matures,” said Zech, who described the builder as a pioneer in alternative propulsion.

“Because AAM has been an early mover on hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen propulsion, it is positioned ahead of less adaptable yards as a proven and repeat builder of these vessels… AAM is pursuing projects where efficiency, innovation, and alternative propulsion are not optional but essential.”

AAM is nearing completion of a 108'x32'6" parallel hybrid USCG Subchapter K vessel for Harbor Breeze Cruises, Long Beach, Calif., a versatile monohull designed for dinner cruises and whale-watching tours that meets California emissions standards.

The company is also building the first battery-electric ferries for San Francisco Bay Ferry’s REEF program. In addition, AAM is constructing patrol vessels for the Los Angeles Port Police and Orange County Sanitation District, as well as

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

new research vessels for UNC Wilmington and the University of Texas, following the January 2025 launch of Cal Poly Humboldt’s 78'x27'6" North Wind.

WORKFORCE WOES A challenge faced by nearly all shipyards across the U.S. — not just those in the Pacific Northwest — is a prolonged shortage of skilled workers. “One of the biggest challenges remains workforce availability: skilled welders, fabricators, and marine systems technicians are in high demand, yet supply has not kept pace with industry needs,” said Zech.

It’s been a similar story for JT Marine. “Workforce has been the number one challenge,” said Toristoja. “PreCovid, you could put an ad in Craigslist, and you’d have 35 applicants. Of the 35, 20 of them would be qualified.”

Nowadays, shipyards aren’t having such success finding and retaining the workers they need. “I do see that [the situation] is just a little bit better — not much, but it is not getting worse.”

To tackle the skilled labor shortage, shipyards are investing in workforce development efforts, but the issue is far from resolved. “AAM and other regional yards have leaned into apprenticeships, maritime programs at technical schools, and on-the-job training to help address this pipeline gap, but competition for talent remains fierce,” said Zech.

Last year, Gunderson launched a training center with paid programs in basic metal fitting, welding techniques, and industrial safety. Trainees earn $19.95 per hour while learning, and those who complete the program are evaluated for full-time, living-wage positions as welders and shipbuilders.

Manning also emphasized the importance of developing the next generation of shipyard workers, noting that DMI has been reducing the average age of its workforce. By partnering with local schools like Portland Community College to shape maritime training programs, DMI has hired many young graduates — a large portion of its workforce is now under 20-somethings — reflecting a strong focus on attracting and developing young talent.

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BOATS & GEAR Seating

Boat owners are upgrading their vessels, and seating manufacturers have to keep up.

By Ken Hocke, Senior Editor

A

sk mariners what the most important part of a workboat is, aside from the hull, and they would probably say the engines or generators, propellers, waterjets, radar, or any number of other pieces of equipment.

But when would they get to seating? Some old timers are reading this and saying to themselves, “We would stand up for our whole 12-hour shift. Old man so-and-so didn’t even have a place for you to sit down. Said he ain’t paying people to sit around all day.”

Well, old man so-and-so is long dead and so are his methods.

In a report released earlier this year by Mordor Intelligence entitled “Marine Seats Market Size & Share Analysis — Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)”, the analysis shows growth in the commercial marine seating market over the next five years.

According to the report, the marine seats size market is valued at $1.82 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $2.23 billion in 2030, advancing at a 4.15% compound annual growth rate, a trajectory that signals the sector’s passage from postpandemic recovery into a maturity phase where ergonomic innovation, weight reduction, and regulatory compliance carry more weight than raw production volume.

“Shipowners are upgrading cabins, bridges, and passenger30

area seats to meet tighter vibration and fire-safety rules. At the same time, military and offshore operators seek shock-mitigating solutions that protect crews during high-speed maneuvers,” the report said. “Weight-saving composite frames, embedded sensors, and 3D-printed components enable builders to differentiate themselves on comfort, sustainability, and lifecycle cost.

The growing preference for premium finishes in cruise, yacht, and fast ferry builds also supports value growth even as unit shipments level out.”

One aspect of the industry that all the players agree upon is that the seat your boat needs depends on what kind of vessel it is and where it’s operating. “There is no ‘one seat fits all boats,’” said Sean Garrett, director of sales, Shockwave Seats, Sidney, British Columbia.

MILITARY/LAW ENFORCEMENT Shockwave specializes in shock mitigating seating. For now, the military is the company’s primary market. “For military operators, Shockwave’s Drop-Down Bolster seats provide the performance they are counting on to protect them from extreme forces while also offering the ability to stand when the boat is not at speed,” said Garrett.

Many of the military vessels that have Shockwave seats in them operate in extreme conditions. “The evolution of marine suspension seating over the past 25 years has been informed by www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

Shockwave

Take A Seat

Seating ongoing research and feedback from the crews that have been using these seats for an extended period of time,” said Garrett. “This has brought us to a pivotal moment in this industry where the crews operating in extreme conditions can enjoy the benefits of new technology that will make their mission experiences comfortable and efficient and safeguarding them against long-term injury.”

H.O. Bostrom, Waukesha, Wis., also does quite a bit of work in the military space, supplying seating for police patrol boats, Coast Guard craft, naval fleets, and NOAA vessels. And beyond newbuilds, the company sees steady business coming from service parts and replacement seats in boats already in service.

As far as which Bostrom seats go into most of its military and municipal clients’ vessels, “For the military sector, it’s often a split between custom-designed systems and the SeaPost Sierra T-580,”

said Paige Bostrom, H.O. Bostrum’s sales and marketing manager. “Both are built for durability, comfort, and the demanding conditions our military and law enforcement customers face.”

Bostrom said that at its core, H.O. Bostrom is an engineering-driven company. “That means we don’t just provide off-the-shelf seating; we create custom solutions when customers need them. A good example is the work we’ve done for Canadian naval ships, where we delivered tailored seating systems that met precise requirements,” she said.

The company’s lineup includes static helm chairs, shock-absorbing suspension seats like the T-380 and T-580, and a range of options designed to reduce fatigue in high-impact environments.

“Our focus has always been on keeping operators safe, supported, and comfortable, and we’re committed to staying at the forefront as seat technology contin-

ues to evolve,” said Bostrom.

Norwegian seat manufacturer Norsap has been a DNV-certified supplier to the United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Nationale, and Norwegian Navy and Coast Guard for decades.

“Our Norsap seating business is a fairly even mix between Military vessels, tug and barge, passenger vessels, and the energy industry,” said Caleb Armstrong, commercial product manager at Imtra, the official U.S. Norsap dealer, New Bedford, Mass. “A good chunk also comes from the pilot boat industry which we are proud to support and look to continue to build upon.”

Armstrong said Norsap seats offer its customers a longer life span and their adjustability allows for a more ergonomic wheelhouse which leads to an increase in productivity and safety when you buy a Norsap seat. “We hear the same story all the time that operators will buy a

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

31

BOATS & GEAR Seating cheap helm seat but end up tossing it for a new one after just a few years of use,” said Armstrong. “So, it’s a misconception that the cheapest option up front is going to be the most economical in the long run. Our chairs have been designed for countless years of heavy abuse and are fully serviceable. I often receive inquiries from customers who have had a Norsap chair for 10-plus years and they just want to order a few new cushions to get their chair(s) like new again.”

90% commercial off-the-shelf product, but one of our strengths is to provide the 10% custom solutions that will make the difference with boat and mission-specific integration fit and function.”

The Norsap chair made for towboat use is the 1500 series chair that is built on a five-leg base with locking wheels.

“This was designed specifically for the inland towboat industry following several design iterations with real world feedback from operators,” said Armstrong. “Several inland towboat companies have adopted the use of this chair, and we’ve gotten nothing but spectacular feedback and hope to continue to grow on that.”

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right seat for their vessel.”

Garrett said Shockwave has a broad range of seating options that allows it to provide the industry with mission and role specific seating solutions. “Today’s suspension seat buyer has more choices and is generally well informed,” he said. “Where possible, collaboration between the boat manufacture, operator, and Shockwave, leads to the best outcome. Often, we are supplying a

Imtra Corp.

H.O. Bostrom sells most of its helm chairs in the workboat market — towboats, harbor tugs, and offshore supply vessels. Its best seller on the commercial side is its SeaPost Sierra helm chair.

“Customers value its rugged construction, ergonomic support, and adaptability in tough workboat environments,” said Bostrom.

She said that a common misconception in the marine industry is that seats are interchangeable on a vessel. “The reality is every vessel, and application requires the right seating solution. For example, you wouldn’t want to put a low-profile suspension seat on a harbor tug. It would sit too low and wouldn’t give the adjustability that a helm chair provides,” said Bostrom. “That’s why it’s so important for shipbuilders and operators to evaluate the needs of the job. Our sales and customer service teams spend a lot of time working with customers to make sure they get the

Four Norsap seats on Norsap deckrails on the bridge of a service operations vessel.

32

The seating industry can’t afford to sit on its laurels. The marine industry runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. New vessel designs are coming out of computer programs and companies such as Shockwave, H.O. Bostrom, Norsap, and others have to be ready to keep up with the demands of these new designs while servicing what’s already out there.

“Multi-axis seating is the future,” said Garrett. “While existing seats can significantly reduce vertical accelerations, lateral accelerations have not been adequately addressed. Lateral accelerations tend to have less force than vertical; however, the body, neck are not as adept at mitigating those forces.

Shockwave will be unveiling the most advanced shock mitigation seat to date at the [International] WorkBoat Show.”

H.O. Bostrom recently launched its Pacifica AL helm seat. The seat is engineered to keep the occupant comfortable with an ergonomic high back, adjustable lumbar support, and a spring system that smooths out the ride. It features an aluminum pedestal. “We’re also exploring expansions to our existing lines, such as wider helm chairs and more premium seating options, because we know comfort and customization are becoming increasingly important,” said Bostrom. “Another significant area for us is shock-mitigating technology; we have some new developments in the pipeline for shock absorbing seats.”

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

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On Guard

U.S. builders scale up as agencies demand versatile, high-tech patrol platforms.

Ben Hayden, Senior Associate Editor

W

SAFE Boats

hether patrolling harbors, interdicting offshore smugglers, or responding rapidly to emergencies, patrol boats are among the most versatile assets relied upon by state and local agencies, federal operators, and international partners to enforce laws, safeguard waterways, and support military and homeland security missions.

Builders across the U.S. are meeting demand for these boats with a steady pipeline of new designs, technology upgrades, and deliveries. From compact center consoles to larger offshore interceptors, patrol boats are evolving to give agencies more range, speed, and multi-mission capability.

SAFE BOATS

SAFE Boats International LLC produces more than 100 boats a year at its Bremerton and Tacoma, Wash., facilities, ranging from 21' to the 85' Mk VI patrol craft.

The company continues to deliver vessels under the Foreign Military Sales program, including four 41' interceptors and four patrol boats to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, as well as a series of patrol craft to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

State and local agencies remain SAFE Boats’ “bread and butter,” according to Scott Clanton, who oversees Gulf and

SAFE Boats recently delivered a 41' Offshore Interceptor full cabin vessel to Mass. Environmental Police.

34

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

East Coast sales. “We just delivered New Jersey State Police a 38-foot full cab patrol boat. Mass. Environmental [Police] got a 41-foot full cabin offshore interceptor.”

SAFE Boats is building a second Offshore 41 for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the boat will be displayed at the International WorkBoat Show this year, said Clanton.

The 41' platform is available in three configurations: center console, walkaround, and full cabin, Clanton said, noting that FWC’s delivery demonstrates how smaller, faster patrol boats can be more cost-effective than larger offshore platforms.

“They were running an 83' offshore patrol boat… Three to five days of operation is what they would do,” Clanton explained. “It cost so much to get out to that area of operation that it only made sense to stay out there.”

By shifting to a 41' interceptor, “we can run from Florida 100 miles out to their target area, and they could do their job and come back the same day,” he said. “It was such a cost savings for the government, for the state of Florida.

They’re giving them an asset that gets them out there faster, cheaper, and the guys weren’t spending overnights away from their families.”

According to Cole Christianson, SAFE Boats’ business development manager for the West Coast, first responder customers are adopting advanced technology faster than federal buyers. “Agencies are looking to put more into their boats,” he said. “You’ll see them going with more comprehensive electronics packages, multiple [multifunction displays], boat cameras, augmented reality kits … collision avoidance. Those kind of overlays are becoming more and more standardized.”

Long-term quality should matter more than initial cost, Clanton stressed, pointing to the company’s legacy 25' response boat–small (RBS) program for the Coast Guard as an example of staying power. “Every one of those old boats has been put back into service by either towboat operators, police departments,

North River Boats

Patrol Boats

North River Boats recently delivered a Liberty-class collared boat for the Austin Police Department.

or private individuals. It’s like a cult following,” he said.

NORTH RIVER BOATS

North River Boats (NRB), Roseburg, Ore., has been active in the patrol sector with deliveries to local and state agencies, ongoing builds for major police departments, and new projects that incorporate multi-mission capabilities.

“In the last year, we delivered two 23'x9' Liberty collared boats for Austin PD for their patrol sector,” said Jesse Faunce, commercial sales for North River Boats. The company also has two vessels in production for the Detroit Police Department: Valor models coming in 33'x12' and 26'x10'.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife remains a steady customer, with NRB delivering one to two patrol boats a year. Faunce noted the vessels are mostly for use across Puget Sound, from the Columbia River up to Canada, along with smaller inland boats in Eastern Washington.

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is adding two 24' Seahawk hardtops outfitted for inland lake patrol, with added firefighting capability. “The main focus is patrol, but they can also do some fire suppression too,” said Faunce. He added that more patrol customers are seeking multipurpose boats. “We are starting to see that more, where things are crossing over into multi-use boats,” he said.

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

NRB has also seen more technology integration across its newbuilds, from updated Raymarine software to advanced stabilization systems, according to Faunce. “The SeaKeeper Ride trim tabs and the SeaKeeper gyrostabilizers have become a lot more popular in the last year and a half or so,” he said. “What a night-and-day difference with the tabs on,” he said, referencing a recent demonstration of the technology in rough water.

RIBCRAFT USA

Ribcraft USA LLC, Marblehead, Mass., continues to supply rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for military, law enforcement, and first responders across the U.S., with a production schedule backed by three multi-year federal contracts and steady demand from municipal agencies.

Matthew Veluto, chief operating officer, said the company’s contracts with the Navy remain a major driver of production. “Those multi-IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity) contracts with the Navy are in full production.

And those take us well out into the next several years.”

“We have three, five-year IDIQ contracts with the U.S. Navy right now to build the 11-meter (36') Expeditionary RIB for counter-mine measures, the seven-meter (22.9') shipboard RIB, and the 11-meter shipboard RIB,” he said.

One of those five-year IDIQ contracts 35

Ribcraft USA

VESSEL REPORT Patrol Boats

Ribcraft’s 11m Expeditionary RIB on sea trials off Winter Island, Salem, Mass.

Silver Ships

is an $80 million order for 278 sevenmeter RIBs, believed to be the largest single Navy award by number of boats.

In addition to its Navy contracts, Ribcraft delivers boats to state and municipal agencies across the country.

“We’re based in New England, but our contracts — at least at the state and local level — are all over the country,” said Veluto. Recent deliveries have gone to California, the Southeast, the MidAtlantic, New York, and Texas.

One size has stood out in recent law enforcement demand. “This year we seem to have delivered a fair amount of patrol, law enforcement boats that are in that 21-foot range, 19 to 21 feet,” said Veluto, noting that the size offers versatility for both inland and coastal agencies. “It’s easy to be transported, so it can be trailered and deployed by

a single operator. But at the same time, it’s big enough where you can operate it with a couple of officers as well.”

SILVER SHIPS

Silver Ships Inc, Theodore, Ala., continues to supply patrol boats to U.S. and international customers, with recent deliveries supporting counterterrorism operations overseas and law enforcement along America’s coasts and inland waters.

“Silver Ships has a very broad customer base,” said Sean Lobry, who manages military contracts for the company.

“The federal customers, such as the U.S. Navy and other members of the military, they are our biggest customer base. But we also have a lot of state and local customers.”

Two projects have dominated the

Three newly delivered 43' Coastal Fast Response Boats built by Silver Ships for the Guatemalan Navy undergo training in September.

36

shipbuilder’s military patrol boat schedule in the past year.

“One was for the Philippines, and it was a 40-foot patrol boat, diesel powered with waterjets. And those were armed and armored boats. And they’re used for pretty heavy counterinsurgency, counterterrorism ops in the Philippines… Those were delivered last year — six total,” said Lobry.

A second program delivered seven of Silver Ships’ 43' Coastal Fast Response Boats (CFRBs). Four vessels went to Montenegro, with two weeks of training conducted with the Montenegrin Navy.

Three more were delivered to Guatemala in August, also accompanied by training.

Lobry described the CFRB as “a super capable … multi-mission workhorse,” that comes with advanced equipment. The platform includes the RHOTHETA Direction Finder for search and rescue operations, Teledyne FLIR night-vision cameras, satellite radios, and a cuddy cabin with berths for extended missions.

In addition to foreign military sales, Silver Ships is producing a Coast Guard law enforcement interceptor. The 36' design is currently operating in Miami, South Carolina, Texas, and Southern California. Lobry noted that cybersecurity and advanced electronics, like encrypted radios, have become standard requirements.

On the law enforcement side, Silver Ships’ Freedom-series and Ambar-series RIBs remain the most common patrol boat platforms.

David Hunt, who oversees state and local projects for Silver Ships, said the current lead time for new vessels typically runs between 18 and 24 months.

Recent facility expansions have helped improve throughput, but delivery times remain lengthy, particularly for fireboats compared to law enforcement craft. Demand is spread evenly across state and local police departments, conservation enforcement agencies, and sheriff’s offices. A five-year contract with the state of Alabama also covers both coastal and inland patrol craft.

Hunt outlined Silver Ships’ current

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

production schedule for law enforcement patrol craft, highlighting the company’s longstanding partnership with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. The builder is currently delivering the fifth and sixth vessels in a series for the state of Maine. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department recently became a customer, while New Hampshire State Police’s Marine Patrol unit has relied on the company for over 30 years. Additional contracts in Michigan, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and California underscore Silver Ships’ broad nationwide customer base.

“We do a very good job adapting the same hulls to various missions, whether they be combined to a single or multimission vessel,” said Hunt.

MOOSE BOATS

California-based Moose Boats LLC, Vallejo, Calif., has carved out a niche in patrol and response craft, with recent deliveries ranging from hybrid patrol vessels to dive platforms.

“What’s really notable for us at this point, especially with the [Pacific Marine] Expo being up there in the Pacific Northwest, is our recent contract with King County Sheriff … in the Seattle area,” said Ken Royal, vice president of sales. “And that one is gaining a lot of attention because it’s the first dieselelectric hybrid patrol boat for America.”

The King County Sheriff’s vessel will be based on Moose Boats’ M146 platform, stretched to 48'. Designed for patrol and sonar operations on Lake Union, the boat integrates a hybrid package that allows for electriconly operations. “Since they use sonar equipment, we have a vessel that we’re building for them that will incorporate a hybrid electric engine so that they actually can motor along with their sonar equipment under full electric power,” Royal said.

The vessel is powered by twin Volvo Penta D11 engines, each rated at 620 hp, paired with Corvus Energy batteries, HamiltonJet waterjets, and a Danfoss electric motor. “What we’re targeting is going to be five to six knots for two hours under electric propulsion

Moose Boats

Patrol Boats

Moose Boats is building America’s first diesel-electric hybrid patrol boat for Washington State’s King County Sheriff’s Office.

until [the batteries] need to be [recharged],” Royal said.

The hybrid package also supports tactical operations. “When they do patrols, like for boarding ferry boats, if there’s a threat there, they have a high-end usage with that diesel-electric combination by having a boost from the electric motor, which kind of gives them an additional … five knots of boat speed,” Royal said. Despite carrying 30,000–32,000 lbs. of equipment and gear, the vessel is expected to reach 40 knots.

The King County Sheriff’s Office purchased this vessel using Government Service Agency discount pricing and grant funding from Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act, which supports projects that reduce pollution, create jobs, and improve public health.

Moose is also nearing completion on a contract for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Marine Enforcement Dive Team, Royal said. Built on the M238 platform, the boat will serve in the California Delta.

“In their area of response, the California Delta region has a lot of debris, including cars that get rolled into the river for whatever reason,” said Royal. “Some of it’s crime-related. Some of it is just dumping, unfortunately, hazards into the water like that, and they’re charged with the responsibility of having to mark all those cars and eventually pull them all out of the river. And so this platform … will serve them in that capacity.”

While Moose builds both monohulls

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

and catamarans, the company is best known for twin-hull platforms suited to command, dive, and fire operations. “Our vessels are really known for kind of more command center and dive operations because of that,” said Royal. “If you can envision having to, if you have to shoot rounds from a stable platform versus a monohull that’s rolling and pitching … So that’s kind of the scenarios in which law enforcement will look to our boat.”

Royal estimates that about 60% of the boatbuilder’s output leans toward fire service applications. “For example, I’ve got a vessel I’m building for San Francisco International Airport for airliner down scenarios. That’s a large catamaran that will handle a lot of life rafts in the event of an airliner down,” said Royal. That vessel, also an M146, will be powered by twin Cummins QSC 8.3-liter engines rated at 600 hp and outfitted with fire suppression equipment.

The patrol boat sector continues to be one of the liveliest arenas in the smallcraft world, with American builders rising to meet demand from a diverse client list that spans local sheriff’s offices to far-flung international navies.

As agencies navigate the ever-tightening dance between budget constraints and mission readiness, U.S. manufacturers are stepping up with flexible, purposebuilt designs that keep pace with the shifting tides of security and public safety, both on domestic waters and global shores.

37

PACIFIC MARINE EXPO

Show time!

P

acific Marine Expo, the premier commercial marine trade show on the West Coast, will open its doors on Nov. 20, at the Lumen Field Event Center in Seattle.

The event serves all sectors of the region’s marine industry, including the workboat market.

Presented by WorkBoat and National Fisherman, the Expo features a wide range of exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services for commercial vessel operators, whether they’re upgrading existing boats or building new ones. The show is geared toward professionals operating commercial fishing vessels, tugs, passenger vessels, patrol boats, offshore service vessels, and other workboats.

In addition to the exhibit hall, the event offers a robust conference program with sessions tailored to both commercial fishing and workboat operators. Topics will include marine safety, regulatory updates, business management, technical innovations, workforce development, and more.

38

Doug Stewart

See you in Seattle at PME.

Pacific Marine Expo has once again partnered with Washington Maritime Blue to curate programming that explores the intersection of maritime business, technology, and community impact.

Special daily events include live demonstrations, the Coastal Challenge, hands-on safety workshops hosted by the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association, and the Highliner Ceremony and Dinner.

Produced by Diversified, the Expo will run: • Wednesday, Nov. 20: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Thursday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Friday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For more information, visit www.pacificmarineexpo.com, email info@pacificmarineexpo.com, or call (508) 743-8566.

For your convenience, we’ve included a full list of Pacific Marine Expo exhibitors on the opposite page, complete with company names, booth numbers, and websites. www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PACIFICMARINEEXPO.COM

2025 Exhibitor Listings *Exhibitor list is subject to change.

For the most updated list visit www.pacificmarineexpo.com ACI Boats

ARG America 711

1233

AJR Marine Windows Inc

844

www.ajrmarinewindows.com Alaska Chadux Network

www.brixmarine.com

ARG Industrial

Brunvoll AS

ASANO

4223

Baker Marine Solutions

Bay Ship & Yacht Co. www.bay-ship.com/

Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce

Bay Weld Boats

Development, Alaska Commercial

www.bayweldboats.com Beckwith & Kuffel

https://labor.alaska.gov/wc/ffund.htm

https://www.b-k.com

Alaska Maritime Physicians

Blue Ocean Gear

4231

540 228

4021

BMInternational Co., Ltd.

1043

4317

4130

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute

4218

4324

826

828

Boatswain's Locker Inc.

4323

Bomar/Pompanette LLC

aleutianexpeditors.com

www.pompanette.com

Alexander Gow Fire Equipment Company

Bonar Plastics

625

851

Alfa Marine and Protein

829

Alpha Diving Inc.

4322

alphadivinginc.com Alpha Welding and Boat Repair Inc.

4322

alphaweldingandboatrepair.com American Scaffold

1206 530

AMP United, LLC www.ampunited.com

1047

947

Mitsubishi Cascade Machinery & Electric Catalyst Marine Engineering, LLC Caudwell Marine Central Welding Supply

1307

Agriculture Bank 433

Cheyenne Scale Company 515

Christie & Grey Inc 905

Cimolai Technology SPA 4330

928

Clatsop Community College/

Bristol Bay Regional Seafood

MERTS Campus 4031

4127 1210 807 732

910

www.clatsopcc.edu/MERTS Coastal Marine Engine

4233

4121

www.cimolaitechnology.com https://circleseafoods.com

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

1401

www.christiegrey.com

www.bristolbayfishermen.org

www.britmar.com

4215

www.cheyennescale.com/

Bristol Bay Fishermen's Association 4123

Britmar Marine Ltd

838

www.cfabalaska.com

Circle Seafoods

Bristol Maps

1413

CFAB - AK Commercial Fishing and

bbbak.us

Development Association

1431

www.centralwelding.com

944

www.coastalmarineengine.com Columbia Industrial Products - CIP Marine

https://bristolmaps.com

www.ameriprise.com

Scania USA

https://www.caudwellmarine.com/

www.bbrsda.com

www.americanscaffold.com Ameriprise Financial

647

https://hobostrom.com/marine Bristol Bay Borough

https://alfamarineprotein.com/

1142

www.catalyst-marine.com

www.bonarplastics.com Bostrom Company, H.O.

www.gowfire.com/

Carsoe US INC

www.cascade-machinery.com

www.boatswainslocker.com

www.alatas.com Aleutian Expeditors LLC

Boats & Harbors

324

engine-genset.mhi.com/marine-engines

www.boats-and-harbors.com

www.alaskaseafood.org Alatas Americas

Boat Lift

4313

www.scaniausa.com

www.boatlift-usa.com

www.seagrant.uaf.edu

E&E Foods

https://carsoe.com/

www.bminternational.co.kr Alaska Sea Grant College Program

1152

www.carboline.com

blueoceangear.com

www.alaskamaritimephysicians.com

624

www.cmelimited.com

Carboline Company

www.adfg.alaska.gov

4230

Canadian Maritime Engineering

Ballard Industrial

Alaska Department of Fish and Game 4224

Alaska Net & Supply

729

www.EEFoods.com

www.ballardindustrial.com

803

www.brunvoll.no

https://www.bakermarinesolutions.com/

www.alaskaosro.org

Fishermen's Fund

1025

www.asano-metal.com

www.advantecmarine.com

Brix Marine

www.makanyachtgroup.com/arg.html www.alaskarubbergroup.com

www.aciboats.com AdvanTec Marine

852

1132

1127 www.cipmarine.com

39

PACIFIC MARINE EXPO 2025 Exhibitor Listings Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission 4333

Electric Fishing Reel Systems, Inc. ElectricalHub.com

Commercial Fishermen For

www.electricalhub.com 4225

www.fishermenforbristolbay.org 513

Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory

Enviro-Tech Diving Inc 4321

https://www.circac.org 730

www.cooleyequipmentsales.com 4129

745 1311

salesandservice.cummins.com Curtin Maritime

605

Cutco Cutlery

429

https://cutco.com/ DelVal Flow Controls USA Dexter-Russell Inc

3002 610

www.dexter1818.com Alaska Division of Investments

4214 611 734

926

Glamox Aqua Signal Corporation

www.everettengineering.com 4228

1306

Glendinning Marine Products

Extreme Xtech Corporation

www.glendinningprods.com/

1203

Glosten 3001

606

GMA Garnet (USA) Corp.

Fisheries Supply Company

https://gmagarnet.com/en/americas

1521

Graco Inc

www.fisheriessupply.com 542

https://maritimeinstitute.com

Great Western Pump Co

Fraser Marine Products

www.greatwesternpumps.com

424

Green Iceberg

www.fraserbronze.com 827

Grundens

Fronius USA LLC

www.grundens.com

505

DBA Pirtek

1033

GS Marine LLC

1513

Guy Cotten Inc

524 808 709 715

727 628 339

www.guycottenusa.com

www.FurunoUSA.com 247

H&N Electric, Power Systems by Timken

https://galleystories.podbean.com/ 611

Garmin USA

Duramax Marine LLC1339

www.garmin.com

www.DuramaxMarine.com

Garware Technical Fibres USA Inc

421

Harbor Marine Maintenance 706

1141

https://www.hnelectric.com www.hamiltonjet.com

40

1204

gsmarinellc.com

www.furuno.no

www.garwarefibres.com

1226

https://www.pirtekusa.com

www.seaangelusa.com

Hamilton Jet

811

1511

GS Hydraulic Hose Corporation

www.fronius-usa.com

www.gannetnets.com

www.dykman.com/

806

green-iceberg.com

www.freedmanseating.com 539

842

www.graco.com

www.dsv.com/us

Dykman Electrical Inc

4004

www.glosten.com

www.farweststeel.com

Gannet Nets

633

www.glamox.com

www.evertsair.com

Galley Stories Podcast

www.driveshafts.com/ DSV Air & Sea Inc

Everett Engineering Inc

Furuno USA, Inc.

www.doleref.com Driveline Service of Portland Inc

George Law Firm https://george-law.com/

Furuno Norge AS

www.dockstreetbrokers.com Dole Refrigerating Co

www.etdiving.com

FT - TEC USA Corp.

www.commerce.alaska.gov Dock Street Brokers

Maritime Law Group -

Freedman by Lippert

www.deltechcontrols.com

Alaska Pollock Fishery Alliance

445

Maritime Institute

https://curtinmaritime.com/

General Communications, Inc. (GCI)

www.alaskapollockfisheryalliance.com

Farwest Steel Corp

crucibleservices.com Cummins Inc.

1007

538

https://www.crowley.com/ Crucible Engineering LLC

1211

www.gci.com

Everts Air Cargo

www.cityofcordova.net Crowley

Geislinger Corp

1010

Environmental Marine Inc www.envmar.com

Cordova Port & Harbor

1108

www.geislinger.us

Elliott Bay Design Group

https://www.conveyortechnology.com

Cooley Equipment Sales, Inc.

949

www.ebdg.com

Conveyor Technology

Council

GEA Group

www.elec-tra-mate.com

www.cfec.state.ak.us Bristol Bay

739

1333 1325

www.harbormarine.net Harley Exteriors

1105

www.harleyexteriors.com

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PACIFICMARINEEXPO.COM

Hatenboer-Water Americas

833

www.hatenboer-water.com Hatton Power & Propulsion

1424

743

4124

Jetco Machine and Fabrication John Deere Power Systems Jotun Paints Inc JT Marine Inc KAPP

1029

Karl Senner, LLC. www.karlsenner.com

Homer Marine Trades Assoc/Port of Homer/

Karobert Technology LLC

Homer Chamber/NOMAR

https://www.karobert-us.com/

4033

www.homemarinetrades.com

328

www.hpsperformance.com Hydro Dynamics Solutions

533 1228 1034 948

www.ikonika.com Imtra Corp

839

www.imspacific.com

ISolv Technical Services https://isolvtechnical.com/

Marco Products / 1321

920

www.smithberger.com/ 604

Marine Exchange of Puget Sound / Marine Exchange of Alaska

1053

1111

www.marinejetpower.com 1239

marinesystemsinc.com/ Marinsa Pacific

708

4122

www.marexps.com

Marine Systems Inc.

1128

www.marinsa.com/marinsa-pacific/ Maritime Institute of Technology and Gradu-

1130

ate Studies (MITAGS) www.mitags.org Marport Americas, Inc.

www.kodiakchamber.org

https://www.marport.com/ 921

www.kongsberg.com/discovery/

McDermott Light & Signal

3005 939 1052

www.mcdermottlight.com 1428

MechPro

1250

1205

MER Equipment, Inc.

1121

www.konradmarine.com https://www.merequipment.com 708

www.kvh.com Leeward Marine Works LLC LFS Marine Supplies www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

Metric Marine, INC

334

www.metricmarine.com 321

https://leewardmarineworks.com/ 805

Smith Berger Marine, Inc.

Kodiak Area Chamber of Commerce 4125

KVH Industries, Inc.

www.imifish.com

1505

www.mackaycomm.com

www.kobelt.com

www.kraftpower.com

1000

1221

Mackay Marine U.S. West Coast & Pacific NW/Alaska & Olex North America

639

www.absoluteoutdoorinc.com

Integrity Machining, Inc. International Marine Industries Inc

1026

www.kequipment.com

Kolstrand, JKFAB, Nordic & Forfjord by www.kolstrand.com

1012

www.lundemarineelectronics.com

www.kemel.com

Kraft Power Corporation 1032

Lunde Marine Electronics Inc

Marine Jet Power

Konrad Marine 1013

Logan Clutch Corporation www.loganclutch.com

1139

1221

Kongsberg / SIMRAD by Kongsberg

https://www.imtra.com Integrated Marine Systems Inc

1421

KEMEL USA

Kobelt Manufacturing Co Ltd

https://www.icomamerica.com/ Ikonika

www.littlehoquiamshipyard.com

708

Kent Safety Products

https://www.ibexroof.com/ Icom America Inc

707

KBI, Inc

Kendrick Equipment

www.tmigreen.com IBEX Roof LLC

Little Hoquiam Shipyard

1301

https://marine.honda.com/ HPS Performance Products

1249

www.kapp.com

www.hockema.com/

Honda Marine

708

www.jtmarineinc.com 733

www.hillerfire.com Hockema Group, Inc.

Liqui Moly

www.jotun.com

www.highmarkmarine.com Hiller Companies (The)

441

www.johndeere.com/jdpower 512

https://highlinerapparel.com/ Highmark Marine Fabrication

839

www.libra.no

https://www.jetco-usa.com/

www.highlandref.com Highliner Apparel

Jaya Nets Sdn Bhd

Libra-Plast AS

www.jayanets.com 911

https://www.hefringmarine.com/ Highland Refrigeration

1331

www.jastram.com

https://hattonpower.com/ Hefring Marine

Jastram Engineering Ltd.

Motion & Flow Control Products, Inc. 801 www.mfcpinc.com

521

Michelli Weighing & Measurement

649

www.michelli.com

41

PACIFIC MARINE EXPO 2025 Exhibitor Listings Michigan Wheel

724

Morenot USA

www.miwheel.com Miller-Leaman, Inc.

439

www.millerleaman.com Millner-Haufen Tool Company

3000

www.millnertools.com Mitsubishi

1129

mld.one Motive Power Marine

950

www.motivepowermarine.com/ 608

Pacific Seafood Group

Committee North Pacific Crane

www.petrostar.com

www.pacificwestrefrigeration.com

Northern Air Cargo

www.northern-lights.com Northline Seafoods

1230 629 1200 448 648

Nautican Propulsion

1031

www.nautican.com N C Power Systems

1133

Nether Industries

850

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders

900

NOAA

915

www.noaa.gov Nobeltec

1513

NorSap www.norsap.no

839

Performance Contracting, Inc Petro Marine Services

1221 750 607

www.petromarineservices.com 551

PFI Marine Electric

1221

www.pfielectric.com 1124

Philadelphia Gear, Power Systems by Timken

506

Phoenix Lighting 1501

1300 403

Port of Port Angeles

Pacific Fishermen Shipyard & Electric1221

www.portofpa.com

www.pacificfishermen.com

Port of Port Townsend

700

4125 950 2601

www.portofpt.com Port of Seattle

www.pacmarinecenter.com

2605

www.city.kodiak.ak.us

www.pacificboatbrokers.com

924

932

www.portofbellingham.com Port of Kodiak

www.arrowheadwinch.com

745

www.platypusmarine.com Port of Bellingham

https://otolithtech.com/

1030

www.phoenixlighting.com

Platypus Marine, Inc. 1156

1141

www.philagear.com

www.ofcc.com

Pacific Marine Equipment LLC

4116

www.pcg.com 500

https://piersiderepair.com/

Pacific Marine Center

https://mytimezero.com/

951

Oregon Fishermen's Cable Committee 633

Pacific Boat Brokers Inc

www.nicholsboats.com

Peoples Bank

Pierside Repair Company

Arrowhead Winch

www.netherind.com

Peninsula Seafoods

https://optimeraxg.com/

Otolith Technologies LLC

www.ncpowersystems.com

1113

www.peoplesbank-wa.com

https://ovaeasy.com OptimERA xG

www.idt.net

415

www.peninsulaseafoods.ltd.uk/ 813

www.notus.ca Nutriom, LLC

www.nationalmarineexhaust.com

4019

www.nwpump.com Notus Electronics Ltd

www.mustangsurvival.com

Palmer Johnson Power Systems

349

www.pjpower.com

https://agwestfc.com Northwest Pump

www.mustadautoline.com

National Retail Solutions (NRS)

702

www.northlineseafoods.com AgWest Farm Credit

https://www.musco.com/

Commission Pacific West Refrigeration

Stamp/Governor Control Systems)

National Marine Exhaust Inc

Pacific States Marine Fisheries 843

Petro Star Inc. dba North Pacific Fuel 4221 North River Boats

405

www.PacificSeafood.com

https://www.psmfc.org/

Northern Lights

Mustang Survival Inc

633

www.northpacificcrane.com

www.nac.aero

www.mshs.com

401

North Coast Fishermen's Cable

MSHS (Formerly Motor Services Hugo 1215

and Health Center https://deohs.washington.edu/pnash/

www.mp.bank

Mustad Autoline Inc

331

www.morenot.com

www.northriverboats.com

Mountain Pacific Bank

Musco Lighting

Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety

https://www.northcoastcable.org/ 1413

www.hattonmarine.com MLD Trawl Steering System

North American Fishing Supplies DBA:

2600

www.portseattle.org

www.PMESeattle.com

42

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PACIFICMARINEEXPO.COM

Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op

514

Scantrol AS

628

Spurs Marine Manufacturing Inc

www.ptshipwrights.com

www.scantrol.com

Prince William Sound Regional Citizens'

Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants

Advisory Council

www.schaefferoil.com

www.stabbertmaritime.com

SCHOTTEL, Inc. and Elkon Integration 901

Standard Calibrations Inc

www.schottel.com

www.standardcal.com

4321

www.pwsrcac.org Project Gabe/AMSEA

4314

www.spursmarine.com 4128

Seakeeper

https://www.amsea.org/opioids PSS Seal

809

825

www.seakeeper.com

Pump Industries Inc

1106

609

https://sea-mountain.com

R.W. Fernstrum & Company

1310

549

www.seattlefishermensmemorial.org Seattle Marine & Fishing Supply Co

https://www.fernstrum.com Rapid Prep

1201

Shinkei Systems / Seremoni Fish

Rasmussen Marine, a Marine Equipment

https://shinkei.systems/

Solutions Company

ShipConstructor USA Inc

https://marineequipmentsolutions.com/

www.ssi-corporate.com

Remitite America, Inc.

Ships Machinery International Inc

525 612

www.republicservices.com 443

SI-TEX Marine/Koden Electronics www.si-tex.com

RESOLVE Marine Group

Snow & Company, Inc.

www.resolvemarine.com rjll enterprises

Sure Marine Service Inc

1101

www.suremarineservice.com 1008

913

600 338

1166

TCM Sales

708

FLIR

601

Theoretic Electric Co. (TEC)

948

https://www.theoreticelectric.com

Sound Propeller Services

1238

Thyboron Trawldoor

751

www.trawldoor.dk

1035 701 503

www.levelcom.net

Alaska Mariculture Cluster / Southeast

Trident Seafoods

Conference

www.tridentseafoods.com

527

721

Pullmaster Brands

927

www.dovertwg.com 644

www.stimarine.com www.spencerfluidpower.com

508

TWG Tulsa Winch - LANTEC and

www.spearsmfg.com

Spencer Fluid Power 420

4117

https://alaskamariculturecluster.org/

Specified Technologies Inc. 4319

TMS - LevelCom

https://www.soundprop.com

Spears Manufacturing Company

www.samsontug.com Savwinch Boat Anchor Winches

Tahma Boots

www.flir.com

Sopow Art

1240

https://samridhitechnoplast.com/ Samson Tug & Barge

1304

www.trusttcm.com

1168

https://www.saeplast.com SAMRIDHI TECHNOPLAST PVT LTD

Tacoma Boat

https://www.tahmaboots.com/ 1327

Sound & Sea Injury Law

www.rycous.com Saeplast Americas Inc.

351

www.tacomaboatsales.com

812

www.rozemaboatworks.com Ryco

System Laser https://systemlaser.com

624

www.roxtec.com/us Rozema Boat Works Inc

534

1145

www.sopowart.com Roxtec

Strapack

708

www.snowboatbuilding.com 4114

4208

STS US, LLC

Sinex Solutions

www.resilientqualitysolutions.com/ 235, 4328

Stillwater Marine Service

621

https://sinexsolutions.com

Resilient Quality Solutions

4126

www.strapack.com

www.shipsmachinery.com Republic Services

726

www.seamar.com/products

apidprep.com 1039

Aleutian Airways

1009

www.stillwatermarineservices.com/

Seattle Fishermen's Memorial

www.pumpindustries.com

Stabbert Marine & Industrial LLC

www.flyaleutian.com

Sea-Mountain Insurance

https://shaftseal.com/

638

Twin Disc Inc.

1113

www.twindisc.com 1207

U.S. Navy

4115

www.goaeis.com

https://savwinch.com/

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

43

PACIFIC MARINE EXPO 2025 Exhibitor Listings University of Alaska Southeast Maritime

W&O, a Vytl Company

Training Center

www.vytlcontrols.com

4318

Washington Maritime Blue

https://uas.alaska.edu/ketchikan United Fishermen of Alaska

4118

USCG District 13 Seattle

821

US Electric

1131

USI

504

Vallation Outerwear

614

www.vallationouterwear.com Seaspan Shipyards

907

Vertical Risk Management

4229

Vision X Lighting

521

Vónin

904

640

Wooster Products Inc

631 810 1045

www.wooster-products.com 1158

Wrangell Port & Harbors XTRATUF

https://www.inov8vmarine.com

www.xtratuf.com 1146

https://pro.westmarine.com/

ZF Marine

4325 451 1021

www.zfmarine.com 835

Zhejiang Jubao Fishing Tackle CO., LTD.

1004

*Exhibitor list is subject to change.

For the most updated list visit www.pacificmarineexpo.com

www.thewesterngroup.com westernintech.com Western Mariner Magazine

www.vonin.com

906

woodsholegroup.com

WESMAR - Western Marine Electronics931

Western Integrated Technologies

www.visionxusa.com

Woods Hole Group

www.wrangellportsandharbors.com

Western Group (The)

https://verticalrisk.com/

Wilcox & Flegel

www.flyyoung.com.cn

West Marine Pro

www.Seaspan.com

Wild Alaskan Company

www.wilcoxandflegel.com 545

www.wctmarine.com Weihai Fly Young Sports Co., Ltd

www.usi.com

501

www.wcrhx.com/ WCT Marine & Construction, Inc.

www.uselectric.com

748

wildalaskancompany.com

www.wsg.washington.edu WCR Incorporated

https://FishSafeWest.info

Whistle Workwear www.whistleworkwear.com

1539

www.maritimeblue.org Washington Sea Grant

www.ufafish.org

1001

511

www.westernmariner.com

!

Doug Stewart

For the most up to date exhibitor listings and booth numbers, visit pacificmarineexpo.com

44

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

HUNDREDS OF EXHIBITORS IN ONE PLACE. From shipyards to suppliers, the West Coast commercial marine industry comes together at Pacific Marine Expo. Explore hundreds of exhibitors under one roof, showcasing the products, services, and solutions that keep your business moving forward.

VIEW OUR EXHIBITOR LIST

NOVEMBER 20-22, 2025 / SEATTLE, WA LUMEN FIELD EVENT CENTER Produced by:

PORT OF CALL Employment, Equipment & Services

We Are HAS IMMEDIATE OPENINGS! Derrick Barge Deck Foreman Leadermen Rigger Derrick Crane Operator Deck Crane Operator Tower Operator Welding Foreman Welder (6 GR Certified) Clerk Chief Engineer Chief Electrician Mechanic Oiler Electrician Steward Night Cook Galley Hand Tug Boat Captain Able Body Seamen QMED/OILER

VANUATU FLAGGED TUG CREWS: Able seafarer deck–II/4 or II/5 Chief engineer—III/3 Able seafarer engine—III/4 or III/5 All deck officers must hold valid Vanuatu GMDSS– General Operator’s Certificate (GOC) (IV/2)

Minimum 2 years offshore experience onboard a derrick barge required.

Applicants must have a valid TWIC card.

Growing Shoreside Positions:

Risk Manager Product Manager/Engineer New Construction

Mariner Positions: Chief Engineer Assistant Engineer Designated Duty Engineer

APPLY TODAY

www.gandhtowing.com/work/

Dann Ocean Towing

NOW HIRING! As our fleet continues to grow, we are looking for experienced wire boat:

- Captain - Mates

We Offer:  A company committed to safety  Competitive Day Rates  Equal Time Opportunities  Paid Travel

www.centralboat.com

Apply online: www.dannoceantowing.com Email: hiring@dannoceantowing.com Phone: (813) 251-5100

WE ARE

JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM IN FL AND NY!

HIRING HIR H IR RING ING ALL MARINE M R MA RINE TRADES TRA R DES RA

Marine Electricians Electricians Painters Yacht Pai nters Aluminum Welders W Joinery Marine Jo oinery Yacht Project Managers s www.platypusmarine.com hr@platypusmarine.com 360.417.0709

46

More Information

985-385-4649

HIRING Port Angeles, WA

Unit Tow Captains Towline Captains Offshore Captains Mate/Pilots Tankerman Deckhands

- Engineers - AB Deckhands

Email resume to:

jobs@shoreoffshore.com

JOIN OUR TEAM

Join our amazing team!

To place a port of call ad! wjalbert@divcom.com

Golden Alaska Seafoods has open positions on the M/V Golden Alaska Wheelhouse positions: Captain, Mate, Purser Engine Room positions: Chief Engineer, 1st Assistant, 2nd Assistant, Oiler, Fishmeal Technician

DERECKTOR SHIPYARDS

Galley positions: Chief Steward, Cook,

Derrick Crane Operators (Certified) Aluminum Welders Machinists Mechanics Plumbers Boatbuilders

Deck positions: Bosun, Deck Boss, Deckhand,

is hiring for the following positions:

TO VIEW CURRENT OPENINGS AND TO APPLY, VISIT: www.derecktor.com/careers

Prep Cook, Galley Assistant, Housekeeper Deckhand Trainee Factory positions: Baader Technician, Surimi Technician, Quality Control, Foreman, Factory Mechanic, Processor Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) EOE and Drug Free Company

Please apply online at:

www.goldenalaska.com www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PORT OF CALL

WE ARE HIRING

ALL POSITIONS ABOARD OUR FLEET!

CAPTAINS & MATES LIC. ENGINEERS QMED, AB & OS

Cooks & Galleyhands For Offshore in U.S. Gulf of Mexico TWIC Required

(985)-851-0727

5450 West Maine St., Houma LA 70360

All applicants must possess valid MMC, Medical Certificate and TWIC credential

Apply online: www.dannmarinetowing.com/employment

Offshore Positions Wanted Experienced Utilities, Preps, Bakers, Cooks, Painters & Riggers for Offshore.

OFFSHORE WORKERS NEEDED! Cooks, Utility Hands, Galleyhands, Riggers & Tank Cleaners All applicants must have: TWIC card Water Survival T Huet & Safe Guard certification. Positions require travel and set schedules.

Send resume to

tandnb16@gmail.com

Must have T.W.I.C. Miniumum 2 years offshore experience. Must pass drug test.

JPADD RESOURCES STAFFING Email Resumes to:

j.padd@yahoo.com

To place a port of call ad! wjalbert@divcom.com

We are Hiring!

Ferryboat Supervisor ( Captain) Minimum Requirements: Master of 1600GRT GL/Inland

Ferryboat Operator 3 (Marine Engineer) Minimum Requirements: DDE 1000 HP Career progression available with minimum requirements: QMED/Wiper or higher For job description and to apply go to:

https://jobs.la.gov/

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

RIVEE R B O A T RIVERBOAT CCAPTAIN APTAIN FULL TIME

Safely and efficiently operate a passenger vessel in accordance with all applicable regulations and company policies. Ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, crew and the vessel.

FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND TO APPLY GO TO:

www.gatewayarch.com/jobs/ 47

PORT OF CALL Employment, Equipment & Services SE EK IN G QUA LI FIE D & E X PE RI ENC ED PER SO NNE L to work on our subsea construction fleet.

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

SPLICING TECHNICIAN/RIGGER We are a commercial marine rigging shop located in Harahan, LA, specializing in high-quality rigging solutions for the marine and industrial sectors.

JOIN OUR TEAM! For full job description and to apply: https://www.workboat.com/resources/ jobs-marketplace/gbropes-technician

Send Us Your Resume: tray@gbropes.com

 Master  Senior Chief Officer  Chief Officer  Second Officer  Chief Engineer  Second Engineer  Third Engineer  Fourth Engineer  Electro-Technical Officer  Electrician  Instrument Technician  Bosun  Able Seafarer  Able Seafarer (Engine)  Welder

 Crane Operator  Crane Technician  Materials Coordinator  Chief Pipelay Engineer  Fitter  Technician Supervisor  Hydraulic Technician  PLC Technician  Electrical Technician  Mechanical Technician  Pipelay Operator  Deck Mechanic  Deck Coordinator  Offshore Const Manager  SR Offshore Const Supervisor

 Offshore Const Supervisor  Offshore Operations Engineer  Deck Supervisor  Rigging Supervisor  Assistant Rigging Supervisor  Rigger (incl Lead rigger)  Rigger Welder  ROV Superintendent  ROV Senior Supervisor  ROV Supervisor  ROV Senior Pilot Technician  ROV Pilot Technician  HSE Advisor  Medic Administrator  Offshore Administrator

Send resumes to:

offshorevesseljobs@technipfmc.com

NOW HIRING!!!

Need To Fill All positions aboard DP2�Construction Support Vessel • MASTER—STCW II/2 Master 3000 Tons and Unlimited DP Certificate • CHIEF MATE—STCW II/2 Chief Mate 3000 Tons and Unlimited DP Certificate • MATE—STCW/OICNW II/1 and Unlimited DP Certificate • CHIEF ENGINEER—STCW IIl/2 CE 3000KW/ 4000HP • ASSISTANT ENGINEER—STCW lll / 1 OlCEW • DECK FOREMAN —3+ Yrs experience in deck supervisory role • BOSUN—STCW II/4, II/5, VI/2, VI/6 AB Unlimited • ABLE SEAFARER DECK—STCW II/5, STCW II/4 AB Unlimited • ABLE SEAFARER ENGINE—STCW ll/5 , STCW II/4 Oiler/Motorman • CRANE OPERATOR—API Operator License � Knuckle Boom • Wiper � OS License • OS/RIGGER—Qualified Rigger API RP2D or Equivalent • COOK—Food Safety Certificate • GALLEY HAND —Food Safety Certificate • ELECTRICIAN—Minimum 5 Yrs Mechanical/ Electrical Experience on all Vessel Types (DP2 & Conventional) • CONSTRUCTION SUPERINTENDENT– 5 + Yrs Industry Experience– Current Offshore Certifications • ROV SUPERVISOR—5+Yrs Industry Experience with 360+ Days In Senior Pilot Tech Role and Current Certifications • ROV PILOT TECH—150�hours Piloting Experience/180+ Days Offshore as Pilot with Current Certifications

Must have DP�2 DSV experience, current mariners’ credentials, certifications & physical.

Send resumes & copies of credentials to:

SSR2�JOBS@HYDRAOC.COM

48

Superintendents Foreman Leaderman Mechanics Crane Operators Barge Clerks

Dive Supt.

Dive Supervisor Divers Tower Operators Riggers Welders

Cooks Galleyhands AB/Bosun Dive Tenders SAT Tech Life Support Tech

OFFSHORE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED BENEFITS INCLUDES HEALTH, DENTAL, VISION, DISABILITY/LIFE AND 401K MUST BE ABLE TO PASS A PHYSICAL AND DRUG SCREEN

Email Resume: employment@morrisonenergy.com

Apply online at www.morrisonenergy.com EEO M/F/D/V

SHORESIDE & SEAGOING POSITIONS AVAILABLE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS CAT CA ATIONS

PORT CAPTAIN/PORT ENGINEER

Long range planning & coordination with vessel captain Manage all Safety Management Plans Track and manage crew Training program Oversight all ship’s officers and crew Coordinate crew hiring Maintain all documents/surveys required

by USCG.

For complete job description go to:

www.bios.asu.edu/careers Email: bios.hr@bios.asu.edu

Competitive pay, company-matched 401(k) Award winning state-of-the-art equipment n Career Advancement n 100% paid training, credentials, travel n Safety First culture n Lucrative benefits include company provided major medical, dental, life insurance, etc. n n

Introducing the ALL-NEW ART 94-32W Advanced Rotortug®

For additional information visit us online at

SignetMaritime.com/Careers

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PORT OF CALL WM RESOURCES STAFFING L.L.C.

Seeking Offshore Positions Experienced Utilities, Preps, Bakers, Cooks & Painters for Offshore.

Must have T.W.I.C. Miniumum 2 years offshore experience. Must pass drug test.

Email Resumes to:

wmresource206@yahoo.com

Coast Guard & State Pilotage License Insurance License Defense & Wage Loss Group Coverage Available

Agent - MOPS Merchant Officers Protective Syndicate

R.J. Mellusi & Co.

(212) 962-1590 - FAX (212) 385-0920

MARINE MACHINING & MANUFACTURING Your One-Stop Shop for Your Marine Drive Needs Sales and Service

Sales and Service

• A17, A19, A22 and A22HS • Propeller Shafting Bar Stock lengths up to 36’ • C.N.C. Machined Propeller Shafting • Precision Propeller Shaft straightening & repair

• Custom Machined Shaft Couplings up to 30” diameter • Michigan Wheel Propellers • Propeller Repair

W O R L D L E A D E R I N B O AT S H A F T I N G World's Largest Stocking Distributor of AQUAMET

33475 Giftos Dr., Clinton Township, MI 48035 ◼ PH. 586-791-8800

www.marinemachining.com - www.aquamet.com

29 Broadway, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10006

BOOST YOUR HIRING SUCCESS Don't Miss Out! Advertise Your Open Positions in Our next Issue Today!

REACH THOUSANDS WITH WORKBOAT

WorkBoat classifieds make it easy and affordable to help you find the right people to fill your open positions.

Wendy Jalbert 207-842-5616 wjalbert@divcom.com

RACOR FILTER GAUGE

T-HANDLE GAUGE for RACOR 500 / 900 / 1000 Gauge maintains reading with engine OFF

$92

ea.

FREE SHIPPING

DON’T HIT A BRIDGE WHEN YOUR FUEL FILTERS ARE BAD DON'T RISK A FILTER RELATED SHUT DOWN!

WWW.FUELFIXERS.COM - 772-529-0029 www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

49

PORT OF CALL Employment, Equipment & Services rustibus.com

Discover the Power of Rustibus®

The Alutech and OP Series Chairs & Deck Rails

Greater Quality. Greatest Value. www.alu design.no www.alu-design.no

Rustibus® specializes in the removal of rust and paint from steel surfaces, designed exclusively for the maritime sector.

houston@rustibus.com Ph: 832 203 7170

Alu Design offers a standard product line in addition to the option for customization to suit specific needs. Sleek modern design and maximum utility and comfort are emphasized. No matter whether you call it a pilot chair, helm chair, navigator chair or operator seat, we have the chair for your application.

In-Mar Solutions offers a complete line of Alu Design & Services chairs and deck rails.

www.inmarsolutions.com 

info@inmarsolutions.com

(225) 644-7063

Become a Certified and Accredited Marine Surveyor

Fishing Vessel Qualified. Complete course and examination for all vessel types and uses.

1-800-245-4425 or navsurvey.com

DID YOU KNOW? The dates for the 2025 International WorkBoat Show have been announced!

Visit www.workboatshow.com for more details

50

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PORT OF CALL

SERVING THE MARINE INDUSTRY SINCE 1959 Naval Architecture

Keel Coolers

Trouble free marine engine cooling since 1927!

Marine Engineering Design Outfitting Regulatory

904-595-5517

THE WALTER MACHINE CO, INC

INFO@LAYPITMAN.COM

Tel: 201-656-5654 - Fax: 201-656-0318

WWW.LAYPITMAN.COM

www.waltergear.com

3801 State Road 19, Tavares, Florida 32778

BOOST YOUR HIRING SUCCESS Don't Miss Out! Advertise Your Open Positions in Our next Issue Today!

WorkBoat classifieds make it easy and affordable to help you find the right people to fill your open positions.

207-842-5616 www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

wjalbert@divcom.com 51

PORT OF CALL Employment, Equipment & Services 36-inch Diameter Modular Plastic Pontoons The Best Idea Since the Indian Canoe

Uses: Pontoon boats, house boats,

workboats—replace old steel or aluminum pontoons Heavy Duty: Molded from sturdy, medium density polyethylene (MDPF) and filled with polyurethane foam for increased stability Modular: Each bow, middle and stern modules are 10 ft. in length

Displacement at full submersion:

Bow module supports gross weight of 3,100 lbs. and middle/stern each supports 4,200 lbs.

SMITH BROTHERS, Inc.

TUGS/BARGES FOR RENT

Barges sized from 8’ x 18’ to 45’ to 120’. Also “Shugart sectional barges. “Truckable Tugs” here.

10207 Napier Drive Rosharon, TX 77583 Phone: 419-675-0002 info@wilsonpontoons.com

Toll Free: 877-456-2531

www.plasticpontoon.com

www.smithbarge.com Galesville, MD 20765 - (410) 867-1818 Keith Aschenbach keitha@mcleancontracting.com

TOGGLE RELEASE Standard design for shackle release. Models from .65 to 600 ton SWL.

Standard Series

LM Series

LM Series for release of line or cable.

sales@seacatch.com

Capital Bedding is Now Grand Bedding NEW NAME, SAME TRUSTED QUALITY.

Known for decades as Capital Bedding, we’ve supplied the marine and industrial markets with durable, code-compliant bedding built for the most challenging environments. Now, as Grand Bedding, we continue that tradition of quality and comfort under a new name

Marine Mattresses Bunks and Curtains Blankets, Pillows, & More

Standard & Custom Sizes Available

52

225-357-2253 www.GrandBedding.com

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

PORT OF CALL Employment, Equipment & Services

Ken Brooks President

(337-849-4547 ken@spiritmarine.org PO Box 80184 Lafayette, LA 70598

ADVERTISERS INDEX Advanced Mechanical Enterprises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Laborde Products Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

All American Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MAN Engines & Components Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Aurora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

McDermott Light & Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

BAE Systems Ship Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV2

Metalcraft Marine Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Burger Boat Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Pacific Marine Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33, 45

Cascade Engine Center LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Platypus Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

David Clark Company Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

R M Young Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

engines, inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Robert Allan Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Furuno USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV3

R W Fernstrum & Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Hayata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Scienco/Fast Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Honda Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Theoretic Electric. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

International WorkBoat Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Transport Products and Service Enterprises, Inc.. . . 17

Karl Senner, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV4

Walther Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (SECTION 3685, Title 39, United States Code) October 1, 2025 WORKBOAT is published monthly by Diversified Communications 121 Free Street, PO Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112.

Paid/or Requested through Circulation (Not Mailed):

EDITOR: Eric Haun, Diversifed Communicatons 121 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101 OWNER: Diversified Holding Co., 121 Free Street, Portland, ME 04101.

Canada: $55.00

INDIVIDUAL STOCKHOLDERS OWNING OR HOLDING 1% OR MORE OF TOTAL AMOUNT OF DIVERSIFIED HOLDING CO. STOCK AS OF TODAY OR SOONER THAN OCTOBER 1, 2024

54

Avg No. Copies of Actual No. Copies Each Issue of Single Issue During Preceding Published Nearest 12 Months 12 Months

TOTAL NO. OF COPIES PRINTED

PUBLISHER: Wes Doane Diversified Communications PO Box 7438, Portland, ME 04112

Annual Subscriptions for WorkBoat: USA: $39.00 All other countries: Airmail $103.00

Extent and Nature of Circulation

Josephine H. Detmer 121 Free Street Portland, Maine 04101

Thomas W. Hildreth 121 Free Street Portland, Maine 04101

Malcolm B. Hildreth 121 Free Street Portland, Maine 04101

Zareen Taj Mirza 121 Free Street Portland, Maine 04101

Daniel W. Hildreth 121 Free Street Portland, Maine 04101

Anita Sundaram 121 Free Street Portland, Maine 04101

20,821

20,661

0

0

Paid or Requested Mail Subscriptions:

14,863

15,074

Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation:

14,863

15,074

Free Distribution by Mail:

5,181

5,098

Free Distribution outside the Mail:

488

202

Total Non-requested Distribution:

5,669

5,300

Total Distribution:

20.532

20,374

Copies Not Distributed: Office Use, Left overs, Spoiled

289

287

26,968

26,708

Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation:

79.0%

80.2%

Paid Electronic Copies:

6,436

6,334

TOTAL:

www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

1,000+ EXHIBITORS, 75+ SPEAKERS, UNLIMITED NETWORKING. Discover next-gen tech, smart strategies, and real-world solutions to help you thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Register here:

with

DEC 3-5, 2025 / NEW ORLEANS Morial Convention Center, Halls B, C, D, E & F

Produced by

Presented by

LOOKS BACK NOVEMBER 1965 • Delivery of the final barge in a 12-barge order has been made by Hillman Barge & Construction Co., Brownsville, Pa., to A.L. Mechling Barge Lines Inc., Joliet, Ill. The 195'x35'x12' barges have a roll type cover and 3' coaming.

• The Robert B., a 57', twin-screw towboat built by Breaux’s Bay Craft, Loreauville, La., has been delivered to B-Square Towing Co., Houston, by

Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc., also of Houston. The all-steel vessel is powered by two GM diesels, each rated at 500 hp, which drive through 5:1 reduction gears. Robert B sports a 23' eye-level pilothouse and is fully air conditioned.

• A 50-year-old 156'x56' drydock has been rebuilt for the first time and is now back in service at the Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg, Miss., district.

The construction took place at Dravo Corp.’s Baton Rouge, La., repair base.

NOVEMBER 1975 • Starting with one boat, five employees, and eight partners, Numa J. Guidrey of Galliano, La., now retired, parlayed his beginning stake into a company that now operates 35 seagoing tugs, 11 of which the firm owns. The company changed its name this year from the Harvey Canal Towing Co., Harvey, La., to Harvey Gulf International Marine.

• The controversy over replacement of Locks and Dam 26 at Alton, Ill.,

on the Mississippi River, has attainted significance as a test of the laws and policies under which the Corps of Engineers maintains and modernizes the waterway system. A recent 15-minute segment of the weekly CBS-TV news magazine 60 Minutes centered around the Locks 26 controversy dwelled as much on the user charge issue as on the locks replacement question. The American Waterways Operators took exception to the report.

NOVEMBER 1985 • The USS Potomac, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famed presidential yacht, will soon be restored and put into service in San Francisco. When restored, the Potomac will carry 149 passengers and see service as a “floating classroom” for Northern California children.

As part of the refitting package, two 400-hp Enterprise diesels will replace the vessel's original engines.

• The Ouachita, a 4,000-cu.-yd.

56

trailing hopper dredge, was launched from the new 5,000-ton tilt beam side launching way at Twin City Shipyard, St. Paul, Minn. The 300' vessel is being built for Coast Trailing Co., New Orleans. In addition to the Ouachita, the shipyard’s current backlog includes a series of 3,000-cu.-yd. deck barges designed for ocean service, a 3,000-hp offshore tug, a twin-screw towboat, and a number of Navy landing craft. www.workboat.com • NOVEMBER 2025 • WorkBoat

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KARLSENNER.COM

“When Curtin Maritime, Corp. decided to repower the tug Gretchen C, working with Karl Senner, LLC to furnish a pair of WAF-675L reduction gears, was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Their team demonstrated exceptional technical expertise and took the time to fully understand our operational requirements. The quality of the gears exceeded expectations—reliable, durable, and clearly built for long-term performance.

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ANDY TAYLOR | CURTIN MARITIME

Optimizing Propulsion, Performance, Safety, and Reliability.

VESSEL OWNER: CURTIN MARITIME SHIPYARD: SNOW AND COMPANY, INC.

BOOTH 1321

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