Chuck Slape News

Things have been quiet at Chuck's Boat and Drive Company in Longview, Wash., since the forest industry slowed to a crawl a decade ago. But now the company's largest order ever has emerged from an unlikely direction. In the U.S., the increased attention to port security in the past year has led to the installation of floating booms, known as Port Security Barriers (PSB), around key naval docks. When U.S. military officials went looking for a mini-tug that had the power and mobility to open and close these booms, they were pointed in the direction of a company that represents decades of experience in perfecting rugged boats to move big heavy west coast logs around in booming grounds.

Things have been quiet at Chuck’s Boat and Drive Company in Longview Washington since the forest industry slowed to a crawl a decade ago. But now the company’s largest order ever has emerged from an unlikely direction. In the U.S., the increased attention to port security in the past year has led to the installation of floating booms, known as Port Security Barriers (PSB), around key naval docks. When US military officials went looking for a mini-tug that had the power and mobility to open and close these booms, they were pointed in the direction of a company that represents decades of experience in perfecting rugged boats to move big heavy west coast logs around in booming grounds.