Jack Davies News

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.

Captain Jack Davies is the consummate boatman. Davies wears a number of “hats” in the marine industry, and often he is aboard one of the tugs with which he has some ownership involvement. He can be found twisting wrenches in the engine room, working on deck, or in command on the bridge. Lately he has been overseeing the construction of his latest tug. The new McIlwain-designed Azimuthing Stern Drive (ASD) tug will be 64.75-feet in length, with a 27-foot beam. Of the relatively large beam for the length, Davies explains, “Adding beam is a way to improve the stability.

"It is exciting to see our vessels coming and going through the harbour, I particularly enjoy that fact that we appear to be one of the busiest, and best looking fleets on the water," says Island Tug and Barge Ltd. President Bob Shields of the view from his harbour side office in Vancouver, BC. Capt. Shields has built a reputation as a boat proud innovator in the already innovative British Columbia towboating industry. This reputation was furthered last year when Shields and his partner, Capt.

"It is exciting to see our vessels coming and going through the harbor, I particularly enjoy that fact that we appear to be one of the busiest, and best looking fleets on the water," says Island Tug and Barge Ltd. President Bob Shields of the view from his harbour side office in Vancouver, BC. Capt. Shields has built a reputation as a boat proud innovator in the already innovative British Columbia towboating industry. This reputation was furthered last year when Shields and his partner, Capt. Jack Davies, retrofitted an Intercon connector to their handsome 41.5 by 9.75-metre 3000 HP twin-screw tug Island Monarch. Now, a year later, Vancouver waterfront watchers are seeing the company repower their classic raised-focsle style Island Crown with a pair of Cummins KTA38.