Ocean science is in high demand by scientists studying ocean acidification, wave energy, seabed composition, changing water temperatures, fish populations and dozens of other research projects. The Oregon State University (OSU) has a proud history in the field. The wide variety of research project require a variety of vessels.

Founded in 1958 as an extension of the Stradiotti family businesses, North Arm Transportation has grown to be a significant fuel company on the BC coast. Over the years, the company fleet has expanded and evolved. With tugs in a range of size and power, as well as cargo and fuel barges, the company services the coast out of its headquarters in Vancouver on the North Arm of the Fraser River. They also have facilities on Mitchell Island in the Fraser and at Masset on Haida Gwaii.

Like many fishermen, Justin Yager is interested in the responsible harvesting or marine resources. “We don’t need to be fishing the crabs right up into their molt stages,” he said recently. Similarly, he saw the common sense of rebuilding the Gulf Shrimper B.J. Thomas when the boat had a serious fire at Newport, Oregon.

Bunkering ports around the world have long used a variety of small tankers or tug and barge combinations to deliver fuel to visiting ships. Mostly this was heavy oil, but recently a new breed of bunkering vessels is emerging to deliver clean burning LNG to modern ships with dual-fuel capabilities.

Joey Rodriguez has seen the ups and downs of the boat building business at his Rodriguez Shipbuilding in Coden Alabama. For a time, there was huge demand for big steel Gulf Shrimp boats and then the oil industry ramped up and kept him busy with a variety of tugboats. Then came the crash in oil prices and the crash in demand for towboats. Joey shuttered his yard for a year and a half.

It has been said that if you want a versatile, practical, and safe boat, go to an islander. With multiple generations on the Isle of Škoj in the Adriatic off the Croatian city of Split, Luka, the youngest of the Colnago family, is a noted designer and builder. His latest work, the Colnago 45 Pilot, is one of his most versatile yet.