Océan Remorquage Montréal Inc. christened its newest tug, the Ocean Pierre Julien, built in 2012 at Ocean Industries’ shipyard located on Isle-aux-Coudres. The tug was constructed at a cost of $10.6 million, and was the third of the Intrépide series to be built at Ocean Industries.
The traditional christening ceremony was attended by Ocean’s President Gordon Bain and First Vice-President and General Manager Jacques Tanguay, as well as Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of Montreal Port Authority, Ocean’s Executive Vice-President – Special Projects Pierre Julien, and his spouse, Nicole Gagné, the ship’s godmother.
“The new tug pays tribute to a committed person, who is well respected by his peers. Since his arrival in 2001, Pierre Julien’s expertise has contributed to Ocean’s growth. His outstanding dedication and attention to detail have allowed us to carry out many projects, and that is why we are proud to honor him today,” said Gordon Bain.
“My career in the maritime industry began in 1968. During this period, I came across many challenges and expectations, and even dreams. However, it never entered my mind that one day my name would appear on the hull of a ship or tug boat. I consider this as a privilege, and it is deeply appreciated,” said Pierre Julien.
The construction of this vessel was facilitated through the financial support of Industry Canada which contributed close to 15 per cent of the construction cost through its Structured Financing Facility program. The 25-metre tug is equipped with the latest technologies, including a firefighting system with water cannons having a capacity of 1,200 cubic metres per hour, the equivalent of five fire trucks. It is powered by two omnidirectional Z-Drive propellers and two engines that can deliver 5,000 BHP.
“Synergy between Ocean’s various sister companies and an unwavering commitment to excellence have allowed our team to complete this project within budget. Océan Remorquage Montréal inc. is proud to contribute to the ongoing development of Port of Montréal and the companies that operate there,” said Jacques Tanguay. Sylvie Vachon added “I welcome the arrival of this new modern port tug, the second in less than three years, which demonstrates confidence in the development of Ocean’s port operations in Montreal and its commitment to consistently providing high-quality services thanks to the skill of its crew, and the quality of its equipment.”
Océan Remorquage Montréal Inc. and Ocean Industries Inc. are members of the Ocean Group of companies. Ocean is a major Quebec maritime company whose 750 employees operate from several locations along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.