For many decades Robert Allan Ltd. has been designing tugs and barges for the shallow rivers of Canada’s northland. The expertise gained in designing robust, reliable and yet lightweight vessels for this very challenging environment has led to many opportunities to offer that experience to projects in other parts of the globe where similar (if generally warmer!) conditions exist.

Recent projects in South America has led to further research and refinement of the propulsion and steering systems on these tugs, as well as software which enables us to predict with greater accuracy how this type of tug will perform on often circuitous routes. These tugs can be dual (D), triple (T) or quadruple (Q) screws, Z-drive (Z), or jets (J).

The following are examples of RApide Class Shallow-Draft River Tug designs:

Keewatin
Henry Christoffersen, Jock McNiven, Johnny Hope, Matt Berry
Edgar Kotokak (Formerly Johnny Hope)
Mary Lu Spencer