Joe Gontarski News

Seabulk Towing is scheduled to christen the sister tugs Buccaneer and Gasparilla at its Tampa, Fla. facility on Thursday, January 24. Sponsors are Lorraine Gontarski, to christen tug Buccaneer on behalf of her husband, Joe Gontarski, who is Senior Director and special assistant to the Executive Director for Port Manatee and has served both the Port of Tampa and Port Manatee for over 30 years. The career of tug Gasparilla’s sponsor, Ms. Betty Provenzano, spans more than 35 years in support of those who steer the Port of Tampa.

Port Manatee’s Joe Gontarski was elected the International Propeller Club of the United States Southeast Region Maritime Person of the Year April 20th at ceremonies in Charleston, S.C. The award is the Southeast Region’s highest honor and was won on the fourth ballot from among 14 eligible ports. Gontarski’s nomination was brought forth by virtue of receiving a similar award in March from the Port Manatee Propeller Club. He is now qualified for consideration in October for the International Maritime Person of the Year at ceremonies planned for Athens, Greece. Considered by many to be the dean of Tampa Bay’s maritime community, Gontarski has been Port Manatee’s senior director and special assistant to Executive Director David McDonald PPM for the past 20 years.