Christina Morrison - Artist - West Coast Tug Project

Victoria Tug & Barge’s complete fleet is showcased here in front of the Historic Northern Junk buildings, constructed in 1860 and 1864—two of the original commercial structures that emerged during the waterfront boom spurred by the Fraser River gold rush. One building, originally a hardware store for Caire and Grancini, is a rare work by San Francisco architect John Wright, while the other was designed by Thomas Trounce, who came to Victoria during the gold rush. Today, these warehouses stand as neglected historical remnants, having been vacant for 43 years.

Photographer: Richard Paddle, https://rap1012.blogspot.com/

Jose Narvaez, owned by LaFarge Canada. Nauticapedia states - “The Transportation Safety Board of Canada reports that “On 07/08/1999 The tug Jose Narvaez was outbound from Vancouver harbour, at night, towing the coal-laden barge Texada B.C. on a 274 m cable towline. The operator of the pleasure craft Sunboy did not realize that they were approaching a tug/tow combination and passed between the tug and the barge. The propellers of the Sunboy became fouled in the towline, and the pleasure craft was struck by the on-coming barge, and capsized. As a result, some people were thrown into the water and others were trapped within the vessel’s enclosed spaces. Of the 14 people who had been on board the Sunboy, nine were rescued and survived, four drowned and one remains missing and is presumed drowned. “ “The Jose Narvaez is a single screw, steel-hulled tug. The weather deck is fitted with an enclosed deck-house forward of a main working deck. Atop the deckhouse is the boat deck with an enclosed wheelhouse with centreline helm, and windows providing an unrestricted view ahead but a restricted view astern. At the exterior, after end of the boat deck is a second set of clutch controls, an emergency towing winch release and a 150,000 candela searchlight. The vessel’s service speed is approximately 7.5 knots. The vessel is equipped with 790 m of 45 mm diameter steel wire towline on a single drum towing winch. The winch has one local and two remote emergency release stations.”

Photographer: Roger Craik

Arctic Taglu, The Arctic Taglu was built alongside her twin sister Arctic Hooper at Allied Shipyards in 1976. The two tugs were originally built for Arctic Transportation limited as ice breaking tugs to work in the Canadian Arctic during oil exploration operations in the 1970’s and 80’s. After the exploration work ended in the mid 80’s the tug was sold to Swifture Towing in New West. This company folded shortly after and she was later sold to Sea Link Marine services and converted into a pusher tug. The concept worked out well and she pushed trailer barges from the lower mainland to Swartz Bay for nearly 30 years. Amix Marine took over Sealink in 2011 and in 2017 the Tug finished its pushing contract and went out towing once again. The boat is presently employed towing log barges, chip barges and in general towing, areas of operation span from northern California to S.E. Alaska. Arctic Taglu is a twin screw tug with 2250 hp, a length of 110 feet and is ice classed.

Photographer: Dan Jonsson, Douglas Channel, near Hartley Bay.

Story: Lonnie Berrow

Mr. Bill, the photo reference for this painting was taken by Jordan just north of 2nd narrows during an expansion of the rail tracks, so the trains could pass. Mr.Bill was JJM’s on site pusher/ assist boat. It is a twin screw and was very helpful when they needed it. They were delivering 3500 tons of rock a couple times a week.

Photographer: Jordan Geo Tyers

Cindy Mozel - Seen here on September 11, 2020, with her barge in Prince Rupert, while loading chips for Harmac, Nanaimo. The Cindy Mozel was briefly chartered by Amix Marine from Island Tug & Barge, and this was her first voyage with Amix. Kamila was the Mate onboard that day and says the Cindy Mozel was a fun vessel to manoeuvre, and sail on. I’ve heard similarly from so many that are fond of the Cindy Mozel. I would love to hear more of your stories and why you love her so much. She was recently bought by Sentry Marine.

Photographer: Kamila Calko

Seaspan Prince - Now the Jervis Defender. The photo reference was taken in June 2010 from Ambleside Beach. Colin was there to take a Photo of the Princess Superior heading to the dry dock. Ships in the background are the anchorages in English Bay. Originally built for Ocean Cement fleet as the Evco Crest. It did the gravel run from Sechelt to False Creek for years. Then was sold to Seaspan when Ocean got out of tow boating and was renamed the Seaspan Prince. It was taken out of service and mothballed for years at their dock before Thunder Bay Tugs bought it and put it back to work. Story: Bob Heatley

Photographer: Colin Sands

CFAV GLENDYNE - 07 July 1996, was involved with the “rescue” of the MS GOLDEN PRINCESS Cruise Ship off of Neah Bay, Washington. The cruise ship had an engine room fire and was disabled. The tug was called out at 0815 on a Saturday, arrived on scene about 1200 and escorted the Golden Princess (under tow by an American Tug) to Ogden Pt. We arrived at about midnight. No injuries or deaths. Story: Ian Wiggs

Since the 2 Glen Tugs have been in operation, it is estimated that they have been involved with a combined total of 28,000 ship/barge moves within Esquimalt Harbour and Rocky Point Ammunitioning Jetty.

CFAV – Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel

YTB 640 – Glendyne

YTB – Is the NATO Designation for “Large Harbour Tug”

Built in Victoria by Yarrows Ltd., – 16 Sep 1975

Photographer: Richard Paddle, https://rap1012.blogspot.com/

Seaspan Royal, owned by Seaspan, also better know as the Captain Bob when it was owned by Rivtow, when this photo was taken the captain was Rick Dodds, Mike Simpson was 1 of two mates and he was training 2 deckhands who were also the boom boat operators. It has a cook and 2 engineers! This photo was taken near Gold River in Mutchalitz Inlet West Coast Vancouver island.

Photographer: Mike Simpson

SST Orleans, owned by SAAM, seen here assisting a coal ship into Ridley Island coal in Prince Rupert, now called Trigon Pacific Terminals.

Photographer: Sascha Gilbert on Instagram @sggilbert

Seaspan Scout owned by Seaspan, alongside of a row of chip barges at Annacis Island which is in Delta, located just downstream of the south arm of the Fraser River. She was built in 1992 and has remained Seaspan Scout since then according to Nauticapedia.

Photographer: Malcolm Millar, www.marinetraffic.com

Chrek, owned by Rocan Marine, was built in 1955 in North Vancouver by Columbia Shipyards. The image was taken from under the Arthur Laing Bridge on January 15th 2020 as the tug was travelling westbound on the North Arm of the Fraser River passing by Lehigh Hanson's operations. This location is where the North Arm splits into the North and Middle Arms and the tug was heading out to the Jetty Booming Grounds off Point Grey.

Photographer: Loch McJannett.

Alison Nicole l, built in 1974 by Vito Steel Boat & Barge Construction, a Robert Allan design, is now owned by LaFarge Canada Inc. This photo was taken by Jordan at Prospect Point just under the Lionsgate bridge as she was inbound to Vancouver Harbour in April of 2015. As per Nauticapedia, she was named by Wayne Lowes of Wayden Transportation after his daughter Alison Nicole Lowes. Previously CT Champion, North Arm Champion & NA Champion.

Photographer: Jordan Geo Tyers on Facebook @bccoastalmariners

The Herb L Ledcor, owned by Ledcor, taking out a load at Mainland Sand & Gravel was being assisted by its sister ship the Lorne M Ledcor at the time who put the empty barge under the load out.

Photo credit: Jim Dodds, on Instagram @tugboatjimmy

CFAV FIREBRAND

YTR-562

Built: March 1978

Builder: Vancouver Shipyards Co – North Vancouver

LOA: 76’

Beam: 20’

GRT: 117

Fire Pumps: 2 Pumps with 2500 GPM supplying 3 monitors

Many years ago there was a small vessel on fire in the Esquimalt Lagoon area….small vessel, maybe 25’ long. The Master of the Firebrand put the forward monitor on the fire, put the fire out, but at 2500 GPM, unfortunately filled the boat up with water and sank it….

She was also involved when Yarrows Shipyard caught fire during the de-construction around 1996.

Photo Credits: Richard Paddle

Esquimalt III, owned by Esquimalt Graving Dock, was built in 2018 by Ocean Pacific Marine in Campbell River BC, it when into service in Oct 2018. She was built to tow the caissons and work around the EGD. Length-9.45m, Breadth-3.0m. Depth-1.1m, Propulsion-Twin Cummins Turbos Diesels 255hp, Olympic HD-3 Z-Drives

Photo credit: Shane Skirrow

Smitty No. 1, owned by Bluewater Systems, seen here in Vancouver harbour, was built in 1965 for Griffiths Towboats Co Ltd in Richmond and was originally the “Griff’s”.

Photographer: Rick Voice - www.marinetraffic.com

“Breeze” now owned by Atlas 1909 Adventures Ltd., was originally named TP231 and was owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers. She was acquired by Foss Marine and in 1946 she was purchased by DolmageTowing and was named “Sea Giant”. When Vancouver Tug & Barge acquired Dolmage Towing in 1956, she became S6(La Brise). Seaspan International, formed by the amalgamation of several companies, named her “Seaspan Breeze”. “Breeze” was sold to Grant & Noreen Butt in 1977 who operated sportfishing charters at Hakaii P. “Breeze” was purchased by D & G Arnott, in 2010. She is now owned by “Atlas”.

Photographer: David Laughlin www.davidlaughlinphotography.com, on Facebook & Instagram @dlaughlinphotography

Falbro is owned by Falt Towing. They are located in Cowichan Bay.

Shuswap, owned by Samson in Delta BC. Does ship assist work in the Fraser River. Length 58ft, Beam 28ft, 3200 H.P.

Photo Credits: Ray Malone

Delta Fox!

Now owned by Seaforth Environmental Service out of Port Moody, was first owned in 1954 by Island Tug & Barge in Victoria.

Nauticapedia states that on Sept 15, 1957 she was pulled over by the Kalakaka and sank in Victoria Harbour but was salvaged by diver Jack Daley and went back into operation. I’ve heard Jacks name mentioned before in some of the books I’ve read. I bet he had a very interesting career!

Photo Credit: Loch McJannett

The SEA IMP XI owned by Catherwood Towing, on May 15, 2020 @ 05:20am, pushing to hold while the deckhand finishes securing the barge at Powell River. Photo Credits: Kamila Calko on Instagram @kamila_goes_to_sea

MV Driftwood, owned by Queen Charlotte Lodge in Haida Gwaii, serves as the QCL operations center on the fishing grounds. Typically anchored in the quiet waters behind Bird Rock 1 or Bird Rock 2, the Driftwood is the ultimate venue for the die-hard fisherman and/or adventure buff, accommodating up to 12 guests.
 
She was built in 1944 at Star Shipyards for the Royal Canadian Air Force and originally named “Songhee.” In 1953, she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1991, she was designated as a British Columbia Vintage Vessel by the Maritime Museum of BC.

Photograph: Queen Charlotte Lodge

Seaspan Monarch, tied up on a dark and foggy night. Recently sold to Coast Island Marine, she was built in 1977 as the Jervis Crown, a Robert Allan design. In 1989, The Barge “Crown Forest No. 4” was being towed by the Tug “Jervis Crown”. The Tug “Jervis Crown” was being assisted by the Tug “Westminster Chinook”. As the vessels proceeded along the Fraser River, the barge collided with a Public Works Canada railway bridge, causing extensive damage. Transport Canada website states “While being towed by the tug “SEASPAN MONARCH”, on a voyage from Texada Island, B.C. to Seattle, WA., the barge “SEASPAN 240” capsized on 17 July 1996 at 1030. The total cargo of lime rock, carried on the deck of the barge, was lost. There were no injuries as a result of the occurrence and no pollution was reported. The overturned barge was subsequently towed to Vancouver, B.C. where it was surveyed and righted.”

Photographer: Colin McDonagh

Westcoaster, owned by Central Coast Marine Services seen here in Port Hardy. Nauticapedia states that In 1946 she was owned by the United States Army. In 1990-1995 she was owned by Hyak Marine Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada. In 2003-2016 she was owned by Norman W. Jones, Powell River BC Canada. In 2016-2019 she was owned by Widsten Holdings Inc. (Craig Widsten), Richmond BC Canada. In 2020-2023 she was owned by C. Keay Investments Ltd., Burnaby BC Canada.

Photographer: Corey Wiens

Harken 6, owned by Harken towing, seen here along the North Arm Jetty on the Fraser River.

Photographer: Roger Craik

Point Grey maid on a wind rainy day up Surf Inlet, owned by Keith Boutwell in Shearwater.

Nauticapedia states: Point Grey Maid: Blt 1960 by Vancouver Steel Fabricators Ltd. In 1960-1963 she was owned by Eriks Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1963-1982 she was owned by Point Grey Towing Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1983-1985 she was owned by Rivtow Industries Ltd., Vancouver BC. In 1986-2004 she was owned by Stanley Gascoyne, Hagensburg BC. In 2011-2018 she was owned by Bowdy’s Tree Service Ltd., Denny Island BC.

Photographer: Owen Pollock

Hornet, Built in 1966, by the Pacific Towboat Company of Anacortes, Washington (hull #42) as the Omer Foss the Foss Maritime Company of Seattle, Washington. In 2004, the tug was acquired by the Western Towboat Company of Seattle, Washington. Where she was renamed as the Hornet. Squamish Marine purchased her in 2019. The photo reference was taken July 29, 2021 in Squamish BC. Reference: tugboatinformation.com

Photographer: Sonja Peterson

The Jervis King was built for Regent towing in 1969 and named Regent. It is a Vito hull. It is believed there was 8 or 9 built that are all still working today. It was then sold to Rivtow Marine and worked all over the coast, mostly around Vancouver and Howe sound until Thunder Bay Tugs bought her in 2003. They did an extensive refit on her in about 2006 going through most of the boats wiring and mechanical. At that time there was a new wheel house put on her also that was built by Less Woodward. It has been a great boat for many years and should be for many more yet to come.

Story & Photographer: Bob Heatley

MT3, assisted by WE2 & WE4, This painting shows three tugs from the Warren Tug Company fleet leaving Ogden Point in Victoria, BC, after delivering the Poplar Branch, likely in 1957. They are, from left to right, the We2, the MT3, and the We4. All three have GM165 engines. The MT3, built in 1904 and 52 feet long, may have worked on the Columbia River before joining the Warren Tug Company. It was scuttled at Brotchie Ledge near Victoria, BC after a port accident in the 1970s. Not much is known about the We2 and the We4. In the early 1990s, the Warren Tug Company closed and sold their five remaining tugs. Frederick James Douglas Warren (Esquimalt First Nation), and his wife Violet Warren (née Horton, Coast Salish and Métis), founded the Warren Tug Company in 1947 and later passed it on to their sons Darrell, Bill, Joe, and Ken. The Indigenous owned and operated company’s first job was towing the City of Victoria’s garbage scow. Other jobs included hauling rocks to build the Ogden Point breakwater, bringing ships into port, delivering coal to the leper colony on Bentinck Island, and towing logs and lumber for Victoria area mills.

Story: Russ & Kyla Warren

CFAV GLENDALE - April 2004, was involved with the “rescue” of the MS DIAMOND PRINCESS Cruise Ship which ran aground/collided with the Breakwater and Ogden Pt docks. We were dispatched at around 6pm and stayed with her until the next morning around 0900. The Diamond Princess was on her maiden voyage.

Story: Ian Wiggs

Since the 2 Glen Tugs have been in operation, it is estimated that they have been involved with a combined total of 28,000 ship/barge moves within Esquimalt Harbour and Rocky Point Ammunitioning Jetty.

CFAV – Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel

YTB 641 – Glendale

YTB – Is the NATO Designation for “Large Harbour Tug”

Built in Victoria by Yarrows Ltd., – 08 Aug 1975

Photographer: Richard Paddle, https://rap1012.blogspot.com/

Locally Designed by Arthur Moscrop

Built by Mackenzie Barge and Derrick Company,

North Vancouver

Construction began 1940

Launched October 1941

Sea Trials Nov 1941

First served as patrol vessel for Canadian Navy till end of war

Post war registered to Straits Towing and Renamed “Burnaby Straits”

Repowered 1951 with larger 400hp Union P6 diesel engine (same engine still powers the vessel)

Engine weighs 36,000 lbs

Idles at 65rpm, Max 380rpm

Decommissioned as a working tug 1976

Purchased in 76/77

Converted to Livaboard/Passenger vessel and operated as a base for a fishing charter business.

Sold /Purchased in 2009 and used a private yacht.

Sold & Purchased 2014 by Remote West Coast Adventures

Underwent an extensive 6 year multimillion dollar refit to regain recertification as a TC approved passenger vessel.

Currently owned by Remote West Coast Adventures. Thank you Mark for the history.

Photographer: Captain Michael Boskovich or “Bosko”, who spent many years as the Captain of the Parry (the Union Jack’s sister-ship at the time this photo was taken) and sadly passed away in Jan 2021. He was a part time Skipper on the Union Jack when he passed away. The BC Coast lost a truly great person. I never had the chance to meet Michael before he passed but he did send me a few photos he took and I am honoured to be able to paint this one. I have been told that Bosko always had a smile on his face and he made life better, he made life fun.

Britain Prince, owned by Kugler Marine in Maple Ridge. Built by John Manly in 1948. Photo was taken Nov 15, 2004 looking down the River from the Haney Wharf. The Fraser River was quite high that day.

Photographer: Roger Craik

Persuader, built by Alberni Engineering in 1972 for Hub towing in Nanaimo then went to North Arm Transportation for a short time before Island Towing bought it in the early mid 90s. Now owned by Victoria Tug & Barge when they bought the assets of Island Towing in 2015.

Photographer: Richard Paddle, https://rap1012.blogspot.com/

Westview Chinook was built for Westview Tugboats in 81 and went to FMW/Pacific Towing until Victoria Tug & Barge bought it end of 2021.

Photographer: Richard Paddle, https://rap1012.blogspot.com/

Harmac III, a familiar sight to anyone who’s been down to Fisherman’s Wharf in Ladysmith. The Harmac III was built in 1953, a 24 ft John Manly Ltd shallow draft tug for Nanaimo river estuary to supply Harmac Mill. It later came to Ladysmith Harbour owned by Hull Island Enterprises supplying the head of the harbour with flat booms.

She was purchased by Saltair Marine Services for a couple years and used as a harbour patrol boat and later sold to their son Wesley who is now beachcombing with her.

Photographer: Christina Morrison

Sand Tiger sitting at the dock at Steveston with Mud Shark and Black Dog. Nauticapedia states she is owned by Brent Meyers and she was built in 1978 as the Della View and owned by Kildonan Boom & Sort in Port Alberni.

Photographer: Mike Larson

Seaspan Cavalier, owned by Seaspan. The photograph used for reference for this painting was taken in June 2021 in Osborne bay (Crofton Mill). Mike Larson the Mate was spinning the 930 rail barge after departing the rail slip. Cory was on the Bow of the Barge with a rare moment of having his phone in his pocket to snap this amazing photo.

Photographer: Cory Helmer

Songhee & Vigorous, owned by Jim Roome at the time the photo reference was taken for this painting at his Dock in Maple Bay. Nauticapedia states she was built in 1944 at Star Shipyards for the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1953 she was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1991 she was designated as a British Columbia Vintage Vessel by the by the Maritime Museum of BC. She is now owned by Queen Charlotte Lodge in Haida Gwaii and renamed “Driftwood”. Vigorous II was built by A.C. Benson Shipyard Ltd. In 1956. On October 6, 1972 she had an engine room fire off Fisherman's Cove, Vancouver Harbour BC. In 1975 she burned and was salvaged and rebuilt by Jim Roome. She is now owned by Campbell Island Charters and Marine Service in Bella Bella I believe.

Photographer: Cal Gourley

Peggy McKenzie, owned by Victoria Tug & Barge and built by McKenzie Barge and Derrick co. Ltd. Working a tow from Becher Bay to Valdes, Tristan took this photo from south of dock island, they tied up to the head end to inspect the tow while they were awaiting a current change. She is one of the most versatile boats in the fleet, doing anything from barge moves and ship assists to log tows and ramp barge trips to the gulf islands.

Photographer: Tristan Briant

Seaspan Queen, owned by Seaspan and built in 1964 by Star Shipyards as the La Reine II and is a Robert Allan design. In the beginning she was build for Vancouver tug, towed oil barges and chip barges then Genstar bought which is now Seaspan named her the Seaspan Queen around 1969.

Photographer: Bill Stewart

Hustler II, I have noticed quite often tugs are loaned to other companies and when this happens a lot of times they will be painted in the new companies colors. As seen here in Dodd Narrows, Hustler II is actually owned by Seaspan but was loaned to Jones Tug in October 2016. As it had been mothballed by Seaspan for some time, they spent the first few months getting it seaworthy. It was first put to work in January 2017 and was used as an outside boat with live-aboard crew to tow logs to/from distant locations (essentially replacing the Race Point I which had since been sold). In the last couple of years, they had fewer long distance hauls so it operated more frequently as a shift boat towing log booms across Georgia Strait until it was returned to Seaspan in May of 2022. She is now back to her Seaspan colors.

Photographer: Pat Camp

Joe Drinkwater, Built in 1932 and spent roughly the first half of her life towing on Great Central Lake. Was purchased in 1973 by Joan & Lee Roberts in Gibsons BC from Rivtow Straits skipper Al Zeuff. Based out of Heriot Bay Quadra for decades, Lee & Joan started out beach-combing and towing logs with it, also hand logging in Smiths Inlet, and eventually barge work and general marine construction. They rescued many boats and folks from disaster large & small through the years. Once while beach-combing Lee found an old bomb and built a stove out of it.

Photographer: Lorne Collingwood

Albert L. Ledcor, built in 1980, formerly the Storm Bandit & the Bandera, now owned by Ledcor, towing the freshly painted 1412 Ledcor barge out of Victoria Harbour on Aug 17th 2022, assisted by Bill L. Ledcor.

Photographer: Christina Morrison

Hecate Sentinel, built in 2015 and owned by Western Canada Marine Response Corp., Burnaby BC, used for spill response.

Photographer: Adam Gal

“Coast Isle” owned by Saltair Marine Barge Services Ltd., built by Certified Welding & Machining from Prince Rupert in 1980, was originally owned by Skeena River Pile Driving. Skeena River Pile Driving was bought out by Ruskin Construction at which time the vessel operated out of Bamperton and sold to Saltair Marine Services Ltd in 2009. Later sold to Saltair Marine Barge Services Ltd in 2020 until current. Today she remains in pristine shape and assists barge services in marine construction, transportation, drilling, pile driving and vessel recovery.

“Ocean Iris” owned by Saltair Marine Barge Services Ltd., built by Kirkwood, Dirk W. from North Surrey in 1964, was originally owned by Kirkwood, Dirk W. It was sold to Rivtow Marine Ltd in 1970 to 1993 under several divisions, with a short period 1974-1978 being owned by North Coast Towing Ltd. AMT Enterprise also known as A&T Towing from Parksville owned it from 1994 – 2013,(19 years) and sold to Saltair Marine Services Ltd in 2013. Later sold to Saltair Marine Barge Services Ltd in 2017 until current. Today she remains in pristine shape and assists barge services in marine construction, transportation, drilling, pile driving and vessel recovery, as well as General towing.

Photographer: Brooke Nowak

North Arm Tempest, the newest addition to the fleet and North Arm Transportations first azimuth stern drive tug (ASD) 1700 horsepower and she is usually married to their container barge that runs between Duke Point, Fraser Surrey Dock, Centerm & Seattle.

Photographer: Robert Ouimet @bigsnit.boats on Instagram, www.bigsnit.com

Denza Tugger, owned by Denza Tug and Barge, located in Tsehum Harbour in Sidney. The Denza Tugger is the first vessel in the newly formed Denza Tug and Barges fleet. She was built at Allied Shipyards in 1965. She is used for various towing and 24hr marine response.

Photographer: Philly Phil

Nellie Irene, owned by Forrest Marine, was built in 1994 by Sylte Shipyard Ltd for Ernie Catherwood. Mike and Ray Forrest bought her and had Dave Petrunia at Target Marine cut off the house, put a new one on and finish her off. She spends her days doing general towing from logs to barges..

Photographer: Dianne Devitt Reid

Grizzly #7, owned by Wainwright Marine in Prince Rupert. The photo was taken in 2016 in Tuck Inlet swapping out garbage bins for Lax Kwalaams. At that time she was mostly used for small jobs around the harbour and assist jobs.

Photographer: Sascha Gilbert on Instagram @sggilbert

Skeena Coast was built in 1962 as the Neva Straights and was known as one of the best “Sea boats” on the coast (for her size). Basically she could handle heavy sea’s without wrecking her crew. Seen here, towing the Captain Vancouver (loaded with logs) for log sort below Port Mann bridge. Unfortunately Amix has retired the old girl and that was one of her last tows.

Photographer: Dianne Devitt Reid

Strait Hustler, owned by Evan Hogarth for C-Tow Nanaimo. For over 35 years, C-Tow has been a boater’s best friend. They have grown from their humble beginnings on the West Coast of British Columbia to operating the largest on-water marine assistance fleet in Canada. The Strait Hustler started out being used by the US Naval Coastal Warfare Team, forward deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was extensively refitted in 2019 for its current purpose.

Photographer: HIVE Photography @talk2hive on Instagram

Renegade, now owned by SAAM, was owned by Standard towing from 2012-2019. The photo was taken in Squamish a few years back by Jim Dodds. John Dolmage was running it. It was owned by a coastal Pilot, Jack Davies. Builder, ABD Enterprises. Jim was assisting them dock a ship in Squamish.

Photographer: Jim Dodds, on Instagram @tugboatjimmy

Shaymar, Owned by Pacific Cachalot in Campbell River. The name “ SHAYMAR” was created after the four family members : Mom Sharon, son Jay, son Marty & Dad Art. Shaymar. The few letters from each of their names. Built in 1983 by progressive marine. It ran non stop with two 3 man crews. 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off. Log towing the inside coastal waters of Vancouver island.

Photographer: Dan Webster

So thankful to get such a cool story from Tristan. I find it way more interesting knowing some of the history of each tug.

The Quadrant Partner, Built in 1974 as the Carlyn McMurren she has two sister ships, it's unique hull was designed by the renowned Robert Allan firm out of Vancouver. The tugs were built for work in the Arctic & they were built in the years where quality wasn't neglected.

The Partner is an extremely capable Tugboat, however it is not at all an enjoyable weather boat. Stories heard from sailors that got to know her personally say it will get through anything Poseidon has had to offer her. Sure you'll get through but that's not without a beating.. some spilled coffee in the wheelhouse and a messed up galley down below! Rumor says its achieved the journey from Vancouver to the Mackenzie River and another story says that a Catherwood representative broke an arm on board due to being bumped around in a storm near Comox.

The tug spent countless years up North, I believe it was then acquired by JJM construction in 1990 and named the Miller Richmond, it towed barges up and down the fraser and everywhere around. A TSB report I read explains that on December 18th 2000 it had a collision with the Pitt River Bridge. At the last minute, while the tug was on its final approach, the bridge wouldn’t lift due to mechanical reasons. In a last resort to prevent collision the skipper tried backing hard on the barges and spun a 180 to stop em up. Without luck he drifted out of the channel, ran aground with the boat and the second barge hit the bridge. It explains there was considerable damage to the protection piling however nothing to the bridge.

Catherwood towing then acquired the tug in 2016 and changed its name to the Fraser Navigator. It kept on towing on the Fraser and did some work delivering feed/fuel to the fish farms around the Broughton and Discovery Islands. It was also used as a replacement boat for the city transfer run to Powell River.

Being a pusher tug at soul but used as a towing boat, the Partner was left out; it wasn't the favorite of the fleet. With a weird shape, a high center of gravity, shallow draft making it a skating type of boat. It didn't get the right attention it needed. In 2021 Quadrant Towing acquired the vessel and rebaptisted it to the Quadrant Partner.

It has been through a redesign with the help of Arrow Ship yards, Quadrant took an opportunity & gave the Partner a chance to shine again as a designated Pusher tug. It currently works in Prince Rupert for dredging support and let me tell you that it moves around a lot landing barges all day. It's great at what it does.

65 ft in length with a gross tonnage of 131 tons It packs 1400hp out of a fairly new pair of tier 3 caterpillar C-32 it draws 6 ft of draft & sleeps a mighty crew of 4. It successfully maneuvers barges in some pretty narrow sketchy places and can push the right barge at a cruising speed of 10knots.

It is one of the rare, almost unique pusher tugs on this coast. For me coming from the East Coast where we push barges around a lot, the Quadrant Partner was my first command of what I consider a real Tug on the great BC coast. I worked hard to be in this position. To run the Partner is something I take pride in and everytime I get on board I am very thankful of the great opportunity Gordon, Kirsten and the people at Quadrant Towing trusted me with.

This particular picture was taken on my third day in command. John, our senior skipper that gave me familiarization, had left me with the keys. It was just my Deckhand Evan and I. It was a sunny day in Rupert. Up the wheelhouse you forget how big she is. I remember the moment I walked onto the dock taking a glance at the boat telling to myself damn she a big Girl!!!

As the bird passed it made an epic picture.

Then the phone rang and off we went to move a barge. It was a good day!

So that is the story behind the painting 😁

Photographer: Tristan Pilon

Jervis Crest, once known as the Storm Crest, owned by Thunder Bay Tugs now, was built By Alberni Engineering (who also built Storm Coaster, Storm Force & Storm Queen) in 1970 for Egmont Towing & Sorting. She was then sold to Jim Lane at Mariner Towing. He also owned the Spruce Lane, Tugger Lane & the Sea Lane. After that Jim sold out to Pacific towing. At that point Pacific was one of the biggest towing companies on the Coast especially in log towing and they used the tug until Bob & Brenda Heatley at Thunder Bay Tugs bought her in 2015 and since then have been doing mostly log towing and a little barging with it all over the BC Coast. The Jervis Crest is well known on the BC Coast as a good smaller log tower.

Photo Credit: Owen Pollock

The Ocean Clipper, owned by Coast Island Marine, seen here in Dodd Narrows, tows a 400-100 20,000 cubic meter log barge barge on the BC Coast. She has two 12 cylinder Caterpillar engines into one lufkin reduction gear, 1700 hp and a 500 hp 360 drive retractable bow thruster.

Photographer: Brooke Nowak

“Beamsville” owned by Ceara Salvage Marine, built by Russel Bros. in 1943, was originally the H.M.C.S. Beamsville and was owned by the Royal Canadian Navy. She was shipped by rail to the West Coast and served in Esquimalt. After the war she was later assigned as a tender to H.M.C.S. Discovery at Deadman's Island. Today she remains in pristine shape and provides vessel assist services, general towing & also has the equipment and expertise to recover sunken vessels.

Photo credit: Ceara Salvage Marine, www.tofinomarineservices.com

Regent, is owned by Snow Valley Marine and was built in 1987. The photo was taken in Klemtu, BC doing runs for the Marine Harvest or (Mowi). The barge is the MBM 17. The owner, James Archibald worked on this tug as a child.

Photo credit: Snow Valley Marine, www.snowvalleymarineservices.com

Seaspan Protector, owned by Seaspan was formerly the Gulf Sally built in 1974 and was acquired by Finning Tractor & Equipment Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC . The photo was taken in the North Arm near Marpole.

Photo credits: Grant Halls

Spruce I, owned by Sentry Marine was originally acquired by Kingcome Navigation in 1964 as the Harmac Spruce. Seen here in Steveston.

Photo credit: Mike Larson

Harken 6, owned by Harken towing, sunset at the mouth of the North Arm of the Fraser River or the “North Arm Jetty” Harken uses this spot to build log tows to either go outbound to the island or Howe Sound and or inbound up the Fraser River to as far as Mission BC.

Photo credit: TJ Warren, you can see more of his photos at Tugboat Tj Imagery on Facebook and Instagram or on his website www.tugboattjimagery.com

Ocean Gayle, owned by Mercury Launch & Tug seen here on the Pitt River.

Photo credit: Christie on Instagram @ccphotography2021

Henry Harder is owned by Matthews Marine Ltd., built in 1955 by John Manly Ltd. seen here at Mercury Dock at the juncture of the Fraser River’s Middle and North Arms in Richmond.

Photo credit: Loch McJannett, who regularly takes photos of our West Coast Tug Boats, you can see more of them on facebook @britishcolumbianauticalhistory

Island Tugger, owned by Island Tug and Barge. At First Narrows outbound just after clearing the Lionsgate Bridge.

Photo Credit: Jordan Geo Tyers

Seaspan Commander, owned by Seaspan is seen here passing Tilbury on the Fraser River.

Photo credit: Colin Sands, on Flickr or on his website www.colinsands.smugmug.com

The Hilda McKenzie, owned by Wardill Marine out of Nanaimo can be seen assisting Island Tug & Barge at Suncor Nanaimo and Imperial Oil Ltd with fuel barges. She also pushes ramp barges to local islands for transporting things like vehicles and commercial trucks.

Photo credits: Don Wardill

The Seaspan Raider, is owned by Seaspan and is seen here off Beale Cove, Texada Island. The Seaspan Raider does a steady rock run to Seattle & Astoria Oregon via the Columbia River.

Photo Credits: Mike Simpson

The Seaspan Commodore is an Ocean going Tug that spent many years travelling to places like Japan, China, Hawaii, Alaska and the North Sea. She’s 142ft 5750 HP 567 gross tons. Her main job over the years was towing log barges up and down the coast.

Photo credits: Captain Rick Hood

Quadrant Recruit, owned by Quadrant Towing in Coquitlam, seen here on the Fraser River at Haney lifting a log boom to take down river. This photo was taken by Roger Craik you can see more of his photos on Flickr he is at https://www.flickr.com/photos/rog45/

Yucata, owned by Pacific Cachalot out of Campbell River seen here in Port McNeil, is used for towing log booms mostly.

Photo credits: Koel Gauthier

Island Chief, owned by Marine Link Transportation out of Campbell River. The photo for this painting was taken by Wayne Wright you can follow him on Instagram @inletexplorer on Oct 26, 2020 in Okisollo Channel by Chonat Bay. Enroute to the Quatum River towing a barge (not seen here) with equipment for Vancouver Island aviation for a heli logging project.

The North Arm Diligent, built in 1971 by Vito Steel Boat & Barge Construction in Delta BC, delivers freight & fuel to remote villages, logging and fishing camps at the Northern end of BC. Owned by North Arm Transportation. Photo credits: Bill Stewart

Westco Evolution, owned by West Coast Tug & Barge tows smaller log barges & equipment. The photo reference for this painting was taken by Jordan Geo Tyers, you can see more of his photos on the BC Coastal Mariners Facebook page.

“Hodder Breeze” owned by Hodder Tugboat tows trailer barges to Powell River and Howe Sound out of Richmond BC. The photograph for this one is credit to Paul Den Ouden, you can see more of his photographs at prtugboats.blogspot.com

“Gowlland Scout” pulling a couple boom boats through Dodd Narrows. The reference photograph for this one was taken by Brooke Nowak and you can view more of her awesome photos on Instagram @brooke_nowak The Gowlland Scout is owned by Gowlland Towing, they are based out of Campbell River

Island Crown! Owned by Island Tug & Barge is kept busy with a wide variety of assignments. Photo credits to Steve Collins who you can follow on Instagram @mercmanm250 or on Facebook @stevecollins

“Tillicum”

The Tillicum is owned and operated by our very own Queens Harbour Master and is stationed at CFB Esquimalt.

What a beautiful shot to work with taken by Richard Paddle from the Fisgard Lighthouse! Please check out his other photos on his Flickr site @rap1012-busy with retirement. Or on his website at www.richardpaddlephotography.com Richard was also the photographer for the book “To The Lighthouse”, an explorers guide to the Island Lighthouses of Southwestern BC.

“Logger”

Well isn’t this the cutest little Tug you’ve ever seen?! Logger is owned by Quality Towing. The Logger yards and tows log booms at a mill in the Annacis Slough and various other locations in the Fraser everyday.

The photo I painted from for this one is from the amazing Dianne Devitt Reid! Dianne posts her awesome photos taken mostly on the Quay every day on Facebook @bccoastalmariners and @britishcolumbianauticalhistory the Tugs put on great shows for her 🥰 I love it!

Sea Cap III is owned by Valley Towing

Photo credits to Christina, you can see her photos on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/christie_by_the_river or follow her on Instagram @ccphotography2021

“Team Work” The photo I used for this painting was taken by M.L. Jacobs (Malcolm) Malcolm passed away unexpectedly in 2019. He was a longtime member of Marine Traffic and that is where I found this photo. His wife Jan now looks after his photos. He has many amazing photos for you to view on marine traffic or at www.mljacobsphotography.com He loved the water, ships and boats on the West Coast as passionately as I do. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to paint this in his honor.

Team Work - Featuring the Seaspan Kestrel and SST Apache (SAAM Towage).

www.seaspan.com

www.saamtowage.com

The mighty General Jackson! I just love this tug ❤️ the General Jackson’s main job is towing log barges. It is one of AMIX Marine Services longtime support of the BC coastal forestry industry.

Please check them out at: www.amixgroup.ca

The Atlas Captain belongs to Pacific Industrial & Marine in Cowichan Bay. It is used for marine construction purposes, to tow docks, barges, etc. www.pacificindustrialmarine.ca

Huge thanks to Annie at West Coast Floatation for taking this photo!

West Coast Floatation designs & fabricates custom boat docks, aluminium ramps, gangways & bridges. Please check them out at:

www.westcoastfloatation.com

The Maren J is owned by Jones Marine. In addition to log towing in the Southern Strait of Georgia, delivering logs to mills in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Cowichan Bay, Jones Marine also provides ship berthing to the Port of Nanaimo, Chemainus and Croften.

The Parry is owned by Pacific Tugboat Adventures.

www.tugboatcruise.com

Pacific Tugboat Adventures runs expedition style, guided sport fishing and eco-tour charters to British Columbia’s Inside Passage and Great Bear Rainforest. They offer some of the best fishing charters anywhere! Their 1941 heritage wooden tugboat, the 85’ MV Parry, has been meticulously maintained and refitted for passenger comfort. These small ship, liveaboard cruises bring you to majestic fjords, remote inlets, unnamed islets and some of the world’s best salmon and halibut fishing grounds. They often see humpback whales, killer whales, white-sided dolphins, sea lions, grizzly bears, bald eagles, and myriad other marine life. Their ‘slow and steady’ tugboat pioneered the concept of ‘following the fish’ to take you to where the fish are. You can think of them as a fishing lodge that is mobile! Photo credits: Wayne Kellett

The Seaspan Falcon is one of many Tugs owned by Seaspan i will be painting for this West Coast Tug Series. SEASPAN FALCON is a Tug that was built in 1993 (27 years ago) and is sailing under the flag of Canada.

Big thanks to Photographer Malcolm Miller for this amazing photo to paint from. Please check out his other photos on the Marine Traffic website.

www.seaspan.com

Beginning in 1898 as a small company serving BC’s coastal communities, Seaspan today is a prominent marine transportation company operating along the west coast of North America.

In addition to marine transportation, Seaspan also provides Ship Assist/Escort and special project towing services to the Port of Vancouver, Victoria Esquimalt and other BC out ports, as well as the Western Arctic.

Island scout is owned by Island Tug and Barge and is the first of 7 Tugs they own i will be painting for my West Coast Tug Series.

www.islandtug.com

ISLAND TUG AND BARGE is a subsidiary of Tidewater Canada, Incorporated and has provided solutions for the marine industry for over 50 years. ITB has demonstrated seasoned proficiency in the marine transportation of petroleum products on the West Coast of Canada, the United States, and the Arctic. The primary supplier of oil cargo transport in Western Canada, ITB has enjoyed a long history of serving the West Coast’s coastal communities, and is currently the largest provider of bulk fuel products to Vancouver Island.

The SS MASTER Society maintains and operates the heritage steam tugboat MASTER, last operating steam work boat on the BC coast.

Please check out their website and give them a like on Facebook :)

Big thanks to Rick Voice for this amazing photo to paint from. Please check out his other photos on the Marine Traffic website.

The Ken MacKenzie is owned by Harken Towing. Harken Towing is a Canadian owned and operated Tow Boat company, providing professional grade marine towing services in the Pacific Northwest for over 65 years. The company was founded in 1948 by Ken Mackenzie Sr. and partner Harvey Forrest – hence the name “Harken”. The partners launched their first tug on August 18th, 1948, and began a business towing logs and servicing sawmills on the Fraser and Pitt Rivers in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Ken Mackenzie became sole owner in 1949.

Over 65 years later, Harken Towing continues to thrive and has expanded into one of the most prominent marine towing services companies on Canada’s West Coast. With a fleet of 10 shift tugs, 5 continuous tugs, 9 aluminum water taxis, and a barge fleet capable of carrying 8,000 tonnes, Harken provides a full range of professional marine towing services throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The company’s initial focus had been on towing and yarding log booms to sawmills along the Fraser River as well as towing and storing log booms in “fresh water” in the Fraser and Pitt Rivers and Pitt Lake. Today Harken has expanded into a leading name in the marine business for towing not only log booms but also barge towing in the rivers, local harbours, outside waters and U.S. waters.

The company’s base remains the property that Ken and Dorothy Mackenzie purchased at 1990 Argue St. in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, at the junction of the Pitt and Fraser Rivers. First building a house there to serve as their home and office, the facilities have since expanded to include an office and support buildings to enable the growth of the company.

www.harkentowing.com

Big thanks to Jeff Reynolds for this amazing photo. Please check out his other photos at: , www.jeffkreynolds.com, facebook: jeffkreynoldsphotography or on Instagram @jkr_photo

The MV Swell is Owned by Maple Leaf Adventures. She is an 88ft converted Tug built in 1912 that takes travelers to destinations including The Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound & The Great Bear Rainforest. Please check out their website at www.mapleleafadventures.com for more info.

The Maren J is owned by Jones Marine. In addition to log towing in the Southern Strait of Georgia, delivering logs to mills in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Cowichan Bay, Jones Marine also provides ship berthing to the Port of Nanaimo, Chemainus and Croften.

Stormcrest - In 2015-2019 she was owned by Thunder Bay Tugs Ltd., Powell River BC. She is now owned by Thunder Bay Tugs in Powell River and has been renamed to the Jervis Crest.

The Esquimalt II operates out of Cowichan Bay and is owned by Mainline Marine Services

Big thanks to Rob Allan and the SS Master Society for commissioning me to do this painting as a gift to Seaspan for the recent refit of the SS Master photographed by Kris Neely

Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ship Te Kaha sails out of Esquimalt Harbour, Canadian Forces Base Equimalt, British Columbia, on 10 September 2020, to conduct sea trials following a refit at Victoria Shipyards. Painted reproduction of DND photo: (20200910ETA0360D002): Sergeant Malcolm Byers, MARPAC Imaging Services.

Tanu, owned by the Canadian Coast Guard. This photo was taken by Corey Wiens at the fuel dock in Port Hardy. She was built as a Fisheries Patrol Vessel in 1968. The FPV Tanu in its early days was painted all grey and covered the west coast of British Columbia monitoring the various fishing fleets. In the 1990s the Federal Government merged the Ocean Science Fleet, Fisheries Patrol Vessels and Coast Guard Fleet into one special operating agency where the Tanu was welcomed by its new partners and painted its now familiar Red and White colour scheme. The Tanu is engaged in many other programs like: Search and Rescue, Species at Risk support, Aids to Navigation maintenance, Environmental Protection  monitoring, and prevention, Coastal First Nations training, Public events participation and support and supporting other government agencies in their marine program support requirements (RCMP, CBSA, TC, DFO and DND, Health Canada and others). In 2010 the Tanu underwent a mid-life refit to expand it capabilities too support these other government agencies and partners programs.

Photographer: Corey Wiens!

40x30 Acrylic & Steel on Wood Panel, SOLD

48x36 Acrylic & Steel on Wood Panel, SOLD

Approx 28x58, Acrylic & Steel on Wood Panel, SOLD

30x40 Acrylic & Steel on Wood Panel, SOLD

approx 6ftx4ft, Steel, SOLD