Rob Allan News

Canadian headquartered naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. announced that its Executive Chairman, Robert G. "Rob" Allan, has been made an Honorary Member by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), making him one of only 50 living individuals to enjoy this privilege. This membership is awarded to a person as result of their dedicated service to the maritime industry and the Society and is a symbol of recognition offered as a token of the high esteem in which their colleagues hold them.SNAME has previously honored Rob Allan with many accolades.

Robert Allan Ltd. is a consulting naval architectural firm, established in Vancouver, Canada in 1930. Mike Fitzpatrick has been a driving force in the company’s growth since joining the firm in 2003. As a key member of the initial employee ownership group, he was named president and CEO in 2015, responsible for corporate direction, business development, management of senior project managers, and project priorities, schedules and profitability. Fitzpatrick is a 1995 graduate of the University of New South Wales in Australia, with a Bachelor of Engineering in naval architecture.

In business, as in life, after major anniversary milestones like 60 (Diamond) and 75 (Diamond or Sapphire), it seems that every year after that is worth celebrating. However, 90 years is somewhat in the nether regions of celebrations; certainly, a major achievement after say 75, but not quite the centenary either. However, Robert Allan Ltd. has been an active and growing business now for 90 years and we believe that is worth celebrating in a time when it feels, frankly, that there is not a great deal to celebrate.The family lore has always been that my grandfather…

Rob Allan was presented with the Meritorious Achievement Award as one of the President’s Awards conferred by Engineers & Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) on October 20, 2017 at their Annual Award Gala held in Whistler, BC. This award is given annually to a member of the Association who has achieved distinction and outstanding goals associated with his/her profession. Allan has over 45 years of experience in the design of commercial workboats of all types, but especially high-performance tugboats for tanker escort and offshore terminal operations.

Østensjø Rederi’s three new escort towing vessels were officially named on August 26 in Hammerfest. Sponsors of the trio were Unni M. S. Fjær, Inger Vik Framnes and Siv Halvorsen officially naming the vessels Dux, Pax and Audax. In attendance on behalf of designers Robert Allan Ltd. was Rob Allan, Executive Chairman of the Board, on behalf of Østensjø were Chairman of the Board Johannes Østensjø, Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Walland, and Project manager Carl-Johan Amundsen. On behalf of Builders Astilleros Gondán S.A. were their President Álvaro Platero and Financial Director Luis Cotarelo.

The Board of Directors of Robert Allan Ltd. have accepted the announcement from Ken Harford, P. Eng. of his intention to retire in June, 2016 after eight years of leadership at Robert Allan Ltd. “Having completed the ownership transition from Rob Allan and his family to a group of senior managers and subsequently involving a further group of dedicated employees in the company ownership, it is time to pass the helm to the next generation” Harford said. The company informed that the Board extends its sincere gratitude to Ken for the superb job he has done in managing the company through this challenging process. The Board of Directors have appointed Mike Fitzpatrick as the new President with Ken Harford remaining as a Managing Director during this succession process.

One of Canada’s most storied naval architecture firms, Robert Allan Ltd., and Canada’s leading arctic and offshore engineering firm, Ausenco Sandwell, formed a joint venture -— Canada’s Arctic SAGE Team -— to bid for the design of  the Canadian Coast Guard’s new flagship icebreaker. “Canada’s Arctic SAGE Team brings together the most experienced, skilled and talented team in the world on ice breaker technology,” says Robert Allan Ltd.’s Executive Chairman, Rob Allan. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the new icebreaker project in August of 2008. The ship, to be named CCGS John G. Diefenbaker, will replace CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. It is expected to take eight to 10 years to design and build at a total cost of $720 million. To create Canada’s Arctic SAGE Team, Robert Allan Ltd.

Early on the morning of October 28th, the BRAtt departed Point Roberts, Washington State bound for Seattle. Captain Ron Burchett and his able crew Alan Burchett and Ben Flodquist started out in 12 to 15 knot easterly winds and a two foot chop. With Boundary Bay abeam, the winds increased to NE 20 – 25, with four foot seas on the forward quarter. The ride was lively for this 28-ft tug, but with the heavy ballasted skeg the motions were very good with just moderate spray and no green water on deck.