News

Gerard McAllister joins the Fleet

Date

November 12, 2025

Meet the Gerard McAllister: McAllister’s Next-Gen Tug Arrives in Flagship New York Power, ingenuity, maneuverability - McAllister Towing’s newest tractor tug, the Gerard McAllister, brings all three to the Port of New York. American made at Washburn & Doughty, the GERARD MCALLISTER is the fifth in a series of six 84-metric-ton bollard pull, low-emission tractor tugs. She is McAllister’s 42nd tractor tug and the 13th with over 80 metric tons of bollard pull, underscoring the company’s continuation toward a more powerful, hi-tech, and sustainable fleet. Driven by 6,770 horsepower in her CAT engines, the GERARD MCALLISTER is built to handle the largest ships arriving on the U.S. East Coast. She joins her sister vessel, the GRACE MCALLISTER (launched in 2024), as the newest member of the fleet at McAllister’s flagship New York operation. With eco-friendly engines and Markey winches, these American-made tugboats rank among the most advanced and capable ship-docking tractor tugs serving the Port of New York. The GERARD MCALLISTER’s first sail wasn’t just a delivery — it’s was a career showcase. On her way from the shipyard to New York, she stopped at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, giving cadets the chance to step aboard, tour the new tug, meet her crew, and ask real-world questions about working in the tugboat industry. For the next generation of mariners, the GERARD MCALLISTER is a terrific representation of where the industry is headed: high-tech, low-emission, and mission-critical to global trade. “As vessel sponsor, it’s an incredible honor to see this tug bear my name,” said Gerard McAllister, the youngest of the fourth generation of McAllisters descended from company founder James McAllister. “This vessel represents where McAllister is headed — more power, cleaner technology, and new opportunities for the next generation of mariners. I hope the cadets who walk her decks at Mass Maritime can see themselves building a future in this industry and, one day, standing on a tug like this in New York Harbor.” McAllister Towing is a fifth-generation owned and operated company that has been providing unsurpassed service since 1864. With four new state-of-the-art vessels added in the last two years and a fifth scheduled for delivery in 2026, McAllister continues to invest in innovation, sustainability, and safety across its operations on the U.S. East Coast.

McAllister of Baltimore tugs move the stricken containership DALI to the pier.

"At the Helm" Issue 28

Date

June 20, 2025

McAllister Newsletter

View Issue

The crew of the Nancy McAllister after completing the rescue of a burning trawler.

Nancy McAllister to the Rescue

Date

August 22, 2024

Recently, the team at Portland Tugboat were enlisted on a daring rescue mission. The 81’ groundfish trawler Three Girls caught fire 100 miles off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The crew issued a mayday call to the US Coast Guard and had to abandon ship. Capt. Brian Fournier, President of Portland Tugboat, received the call seeking assistance and his first thought was “do I not only have the equipment but most importantly the crew to engage in this type of rescue?” He called in one of his most experienced crews and prepped them on the assignment. Capt. Jake Forgit, Mate Peter Roderiguez, Chief Engineer Ian Brushwein and Deckhand Aoi Daggett boarded the 4,000 hp Nancy McAllister and left Portland, ME in search of the burning vessel. One of the most challenging aspects of the job was in locating the Three Girls. The tug and crew left at 2100 on Monday and steamed overnight toward the estimated location of the trawler. According to Captain Forgit, “We were given two possible locations for the vessel based on drift and the fact that when the crew abandoned it was still in gear going 3 knots in reverse. When we arrived at the first location she wasn’t there, and we kept getting mishits on the radar. I had multiple crew members using binoculars to try and find her. After about an hour we got a consistent target with the radar and we set a course to intercept the vessel.” The Nancy and crew finally met up with the burning trawler at 1100 on Tuesday. Now a really challenging part of the job was beginning. How to safely proceed in hooking up a tow line to a burning vessel in order to be able tow the trawler back to shore. The trawler had large outriggers with chains dangling on both sides, so getting close to the vessel was extremely demanding. Once the Nancy was in position, Aoi Daggett manned the fire hose and said, “I tried to pump water directly down the stack of the Three Girls, so I could target the fire in its engine room”. Once the fire was tamped down, Peter Rodriguez donned turnout gear and boarded the distressed vessel. Peter said, “Hooking up the tow was extremely challenging. I was able to jump on the burning vessel, get the tow line secured and quickly return safely to the Nancy”. The next 24 hours were equally demanding. Under tow, during their return to shore, the tug and crew were met by 4’ waves and they had to reengage with suppression efforts as the fire reignited aboard the trawler. The Nancy arrived in Portland with the still burning vessel on Wednesday morning. They were met and escorted by the US Coast Guard, Portland fire boat and the tug Andrew McAllister. Upon arriving in the harbor, the Nancy hipped up to the trawler and pushed her stern first to Deake’s Wharf. Engineer Ian Brushwein remarked, “Hipping up to a vessel is normal procedure for us, but doing so while the vessel is on fire is an experience I won’t forget.” This was the only way to proceed safely to the dock, unfortunately due to this positioning the flames were reoxygenated and took off once again. The Nancy proceeded to push the Three Girls to the pier and had her all fast at noon on Wednesday. The Andrew stayed on scene to assist the Portland fire department as they battled the fire for another 3 ½ hours. Captain Fournier was extremely grateful and proud of the extraordinary work performed under challenging conditions by the crew. “They performed exemplary. Every part of the job was safely handled by these individuals with pure professionalism and determination. If the trawler sank in the busy shipping lanes of the North Atlantic, it would’ve been a real hazard to navigation. Due to this crew’s efforts in recovering this vessel, they helped prevent this tragedy.” Bravo to these brave men for an amazing job!

McAllister tugs towing the USS New Jersey

"At the Helm" Issue 27

Date

July 02, 2024

McAllister Newsletter

View Issue

The crew of the Buckley McAllister is presented with Certificates of Appreciation.

Recognition for the crew of the tug Buckley McAllister

Date

April 12, 2024

Providence Steamboat Company and the crew of the tug Buckley McAllister recognized for heroic action! In January of this year while working a car carrier in the Port of Davisville, Buckley captain Craig Lewis witnessed a port employee fall into the frigid waters of Narragansett Bay. Capt. Lewis immediately implemented emergency action and steered the Buckley toward the distressed line handler. Upon reaching the individual, the crew were able to quickly respond and get him aboard the tug safely. They then brought the line handler to the dock where EMS were able to treat the individual. In recognition of their intrepid rescue efforts, Joseph Riccio, Port Director at Davisville, honored Providence and each individual crewmember of the tug Buckley with Certificates of Appreciation. Bravo to Mate Devon Lancaster, Chief Engineer Michael Bibby, AB Adam Gauvin and Captain Craig Lewis for their quick response and lifesaving actions!