Arc Expands Into the Commercial Sector With Electric Tugboat Retrofit
Arc Boat Company announced its entrance into the commercial sector. In partnership with a West Coast shipyard, Diversified Marine, Inc., Arc will retrofit a 26 ft tugboat for use in the Port of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles is racing to be zero-emission by 2030, and yet is populated with antiquated tugboats that are expensive, inefficient, and highly polluting. With the first of many modern vessels that are more capable, cleaner, and built domestically, this workboat is a first step towards modernizing the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere.In recognition of the importance of shipbuilding, the U.S. government has announced a flurry of new incentives to revive domestic capacityâŠ
Two Compact Ship Assist Tugs Delivered to US Owner

Robert Allan Ltd. has announced the delivery of two very compact high bollard pull ship handling tugs, Rascal and Rowdy, to Brusco Tug & Barge in the US.The RAscal 2000-D series tugs were constructed at Diversified Marine Inc. of Portland, Oregon, and at over 40 short tons are the highest bollard pull tugs of this size designed to date by Robert Allan Ltd.These compact tugs are well suited for harbors where smaller though still powerful ship assist tugs are needed, as well as being available for general harbor and coastal towing.
Tug Construction and BP Form Tugboat Chartering Joint Venture

Vancouver, Wash. based leasing company Tug Construction, LLC announced it is partnering with energy giant BP in a new joint venture offering Jones Act qualified tugboats for bareboat charter. The newly formed entity, Ursa Major Marine Holdings, LLC has acquired a tugboat from Tug Construction and has placed an order for two additional tugs from Portland, Ore. shipbuilder Diversified Marine, Inc.The JV partners describe Ursa Major as a unique partnership that leverages greater collaboration between shipyardsâŠ
Insights: Frank Manning, President & COO, Diversified Marine, Inc.

Frank Manning has quickly risen through the ranks during his eight years in the shipyard business, today serving as president and COO at Diversified Marine, Inc. (DMI) in Portland, Ore. Crucial along the way has been a passion for the business itself and the people that make it all possible.âThe first day I walked in a shipyard I knew that I was in the right industry,â Manning said. âDMI has always been a relationship-based business. All of our customers are close friends, and we have relationships that are second to none,â he said.
Diversified Marine Taps Frank Manning as President & COO

Portland, Ore. shipbuilder Diversified Marine, Inc. announced it has promoted Frank Manning to president and COO, responsible for the companyâs sales and day to day operations.Diversified Marine founder Kurt Redd, who has served as president and CEO for 43 years, will remain active in the company. He will maintain sole ownership of the company and serve as chairman and CEO, providing strategic guidance and support.Manning joined DMI as business development director in 2020 and most recently served as the company's vice president of operations and business development.
US Maritime Industry Working to Solve the People Puzzle

For companies active in all parts of the commercial maritime sector, finding and holding onto the workers they need to build, operate and service the industryâs wide range of vessels has been challenging. Simply put, the labor market is tight, and the problem is not getting any easier to solve.Mike Ellis, CEO at American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL), said a continued shortage of qualified personnel has been the most pressing issue for ACBLâand probably for the barging industry as a whole. âThere's been so much demand on people.
Foss Charters Vessel from Tug Construction

Foss Maritime has reached a deal to bareboat charter the tug Earl W Redd from Tug Construction, LLC for use in the U.S. offshore wind industry.The Earl W Redd will sail from Portland, Ore. to Massachusetts later this month to begin work on Foss 's offshore wind projects, including Vineyard Wind, the first large-scale offshore wind installation in the U.S. "The Earl W Redd is a great addition to the Foss fleet and will allow our skilled mariners to safely accomplish complex projects," said Joel Whitman, President of Business Development Foss Offshore Wind.
Tier IV Tug Athena Delivered to Crowley

Crowley has taken delivery of Athena, its fourth and most powerful Tier IV ship assist and harbor escort tugboat.The 77-foot Athena provides the agility of its compact size without the sacrifice of power â offering the most bollard pull for a tug under 80 feet in the market. The Robert Allan Ltd.-designed RApport 2500 D vessel operates on a pair of 3,386-horsepower Caterpillar Marine 3516 Tier IV-compliant engines, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions while achieving a power output of nearly 6,800 horsepower and 96 tons of bollard pull.
Crowley Takes Delivery of New Compact Escort Tug

Crowley Maritime Corp.âs ship assist and harbor escort services group has taken delivery of Apollo, a powerful and maneuverable tugboat with the most compact size in the U.S.The tugboat has completed final outfitting at shipbuilder Diversified Marine Inc. in Portland, Ore., and will deploy soon to serve the San Francisco Bay. Like its sister tug operated by Crowley, Hercules, the Apollo was designed by Robert Allen Ltd. to be the nationâs most powerful tug under 80 feet at 78âŠ
Cat Powers Brusco's New Tugs

Caterpillar Marine recently signed a contract to supply its solutions for the next generation of Brusco Tug and Bargeâs new tugs. The first tug was delivered in December 2019, and the second vessel will soon be under construction at Diversified Marine Inc. (DMI), in Portland, Ore., featuring a bollard pull of 84 short tons and complete system integration by Caterpillar Marine.Caterpillar Marineâs West Coast territory sales manager Enrique Aponte said, âThis vessel will change the escort tug marketâŠ
MARAD Awards Nearly $20 Mln for Small Shipyards

Two dozen small shipyards in the U.S. have received a combined $19.6 million through the U.S. Department of Transportationâs Maritime Administration (MARAD) Small Shipyard Grant Program to help fund upgrades and expansions that often lead to more competitive operations, quality ship construction and improved employee skill.âThis $19.6 million federal government investment in the nationâs small shipyards will help maintain the U. S. shipyard infrastructure of our country,â said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L.
For Fireboats, The Heat is On
These days, cost-conscious municipalities across the fruited plain, from sea to shining sea, are ordering new waterborne assets to cover their many local responsibilities. When they do, they want âmore bang for their buck,â combining multiple missions â and the equipment that makes it all possible â onto one hull. Thatâs a tall order on the typically compact patrol boat style hulls that tend to be big on performance, but short on space for equipment that can demand a significant physical footprint. One such shipbuilder stepping up to plate to deliver on a raft of promises is Gulf Coast-based Metal Shark. Significantly expanding its presence in the fireboat market with a diverse range of fireboats currently in production for multiple customersâŠ
Jensen Maritime Provides Design for Shaver's New Tugboat

Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp.âs Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company, has provided the detailed design for Shaver Transportation Companyâs new, Z-drive tug â Samantha S. The multi-purpose tug was built at Diversified Marine Inc., in Portland, Ore., and is operating along the West Coast. The tug is ABS-classed and carries a FFV1 firefighting notation.The 112-foot by 44-foot tug has a 22-foot draft, was built for escort, ocean towing and ship assist, and has firefighting capabilities if needed. The tug features a raised pilot house and a squared forward end.
Three Dump Scows Built by Diversified Marine, Inc.
Diversified Marine, Inc. completed three Ala Wai Dump Scows for American Marine Corporation of Honolulu, Hawaii in June 2002. All three scows were built in Portland, Ore. at the Diversified Marine location and towed to Hawaii on barges. Each scow is built with a remote, air driven hydraulically operated control and with certified leak proof rubber seals. American Marine will use the scows for hauling dredged material from the Hawaiian Island waterways. The Glosten Associates, Inc. designed the scows. Length, molded 78.6 ft. Half breadth, hull, molded 12 ft. Beam, maximum o.a. 24.1 ft. Molded, depth, main deck 9.6 ft. Lightship draft 2.6 ft. Design, waterline draft 7.9 ft. Hopper volume, level to top of coaming 300 cu. yd.
Construction Contract Awarded for New Z-drive Tug
Brusco Tug & Barge, Inc. of Longview, Wash. has announced the award of the construction contract for a new 78 ft. Z-drive tug to Diversified Marine, Inc. of Portland, Ore. This new tug is the seventh in the series of the ASD 23/35 high-performance, low-manning tug design developed by Robert Allan Ltd., and incorporates several new features reflected in the ongoing development of this class of modern high-performance ship assist tug. The most significant change to the design is the increase in power installed in this tug design since its initial development more than 20 years ago. As a consequence of the higher power, the beam of the tug has been increased to provide greater stability and the fendering system has changed significantly to reflect both the higher powerâŠ
Robert Allan Awarded Tug Contract
Brusco Tug & Barge, Inc. of Longview, Wash. has awarded of the construction contract for a new 78 ft. (23.8 m) Z-drive tug to Diversified Marine, Inc. of Portland, Oregon. This new tug is the seventh in the series of the ASD 23/35 high-performance, low-manning tug design developed by Robert Allan Ltd., and incorporates several new features reflected in the ongoing development of this class of modern high-performance ship assist tug. The most significant change to the design is the increase in power installed in this tug design since its initial development over 20 years ago. The tug has been increased to provide greater stability, and the fendering system has changed significantly to reflect both the higher power, and changes in fender and hawser technologies.
Columbia Class Tug for Shaver Transportation

Capilano Maritime Design Ltd. has recently completed the design of an 80âfoot Columbia Class ASD ShipâDocking Tug for Shaver Transportation Company of Portland, Oregon. The tug is currently being built by Diversified Marine Inc., also of Portland, and will be the most powerful in Shaverâs fleet when delivered in 2011. The Columbia Class is a new series of tug designs by Capilano Maritime Design Ltd. Power will be provided by two highâspeed MTV/Detroit Diesel 16V4000 M61 main engines, each rated 2,680 bhp at 1,800 rpm.
Harleyâs Latest tug begins service
The latest addition to the Harley Marine fleet is now completing sea trials and preparing to enter service. The âM/V Earl W. Reddâ will be operated under the flag of the Olympic Tug & Barge unit of Harley. The 120 foot tractor tug, built by Diversified Marine Inc. in Portland, Oregon, and named after the father of Diversified President Kurt Redd, is slated to enter service providing unrestricted coastal towing along the West Coast of the United States. Tier IV-compliant CAT engines coupled to Rolls-Royce âZ-drivesâ power the tug, delivering an expected bollard pull capability of 75 tons. Harley Marine once again selected Markey Machinery to supply the deck equipment for this vessel.
Specialties Cornerstone of Canadian Market
The past decade was a tough one for the Canadian shipbuilding market. It was a decade that produced a decline of both employment and decline of newbuilds, many of which were contracted in the late 1980s still awaiting construction. This unfinished business was concentrated mostly on various military projects that had been thought out but were never actually followed through. It is estimated that by the time the 1990's came to a close that Canadian yards had experienced the worst decade since postwar times with total sales declining by about 50 percent since 1991. In addition, total employment in the industry has broken off by about 50 percent from 12,000 workers in 1990 to today's figure of 5,000.
Shaver Launches New Ship-Docking Tug

On May 18th 2012, at a ceremony on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon, Capilano Maritime Design Ltd. was pleased to attend the christening of their latest design of an 80âfoot Columbia Class ASD ShipâDocking Tug, SOMMER S, for Shaver Transportation Company of Portland, Oregon. The tug was built by Diversified Marine Inc., also of Portland, and is the most powerful in Shaverâs fleet. The 80âfoot ASD vessel is a twin Zâdrive, dieselâpowered shipâdocking tug designed for maximum efficiency in the performance of shipâhandlingâŠ
Harley Marine's Tier 2 Repower
As of January 2007 all new-built vessels for service in US waters are required to be powered with engines that meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 2 emission standards. It has been a significant engineering and logistics challenge for the nation?s engine manufacturers to meet these deadlines. Cummins Marine was able to meet the deadline and is shipping Tier 2 engines in the full horsepower range. Although Tier 2 is a requirement for all new vessels, at Olympic Tug and Barge the owners, Harley Marine Services, have shown leadership by installing a pair of Tier 2 compliant engines in their 1970-built tug Lela Joy. This will make her one of the most environmentally progressive vessels on the Pacific coast.
Celebrating 75 Years of Ship Design
In 2005, Robert Allan Ltd will celebrate its 75th year of continuous business as a firm of Consulting Naval Architects. From its base in Vancouver, the company serves the international marine community with a wide range of specialized workboat designs, as it has done since its inception, through three generations of family ownership. The company has experienced considerable growth in the past decade, and currently has more than 30 vessels to its designs under construction around the world, including a myriad of high-performance tugboats of all types, fireboats, crewboats, patrol craft, ferries, and barges. The following are some highlights of current Robert Allan Ltd. projects that will be delivered in the early months of 2005.