My name is Larry Acheson, the Founder and President of TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale. The Offshore Navigator has been bringing you news from the Marine Towing and Salvage world for over ten years. We have always tried to give you a taste of the excitement and diversity of our day to day life. When an interesting salvage case was completed, we have done our best to place you in the action and share pictures and descriptions to help tell the story. This edition of the Offshore Navigator is different than any we have published in the past. Today we are here to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of our company with you, our valued customers and friends.
I actually began in this business in Tampa, Florida in the mid 1980’s. As was my custom, rather than attend economics class at University of Tampa I was out on my boat when a boater near me broke down needing a tow. Naturally I offered my assistance and at the conclusion of the tow I was rewarded with a $50 bill ...now that kind of “economics” made sense (unfortunately my college success reflected my conclusion)!
It wasn’t long until I was offered a job towing boats in and around Tampa Bay. The hours were long and completely unpredictable. To this day it’s tough to predict when folks will break down but it’s rarely convenient. With this role however, I found the reward of helping people. The more complicated the situation they got themselves into, the more challenge ...and satisfaction I found in getting them out of it regardless of the time, day or night.
In late 1989 I moved over to Ft. Lauderdale and started Offshore Marine Towing, Inc. which became known as TowBoatU.S. Ft. Lauderdale, one of the nation’s first TowBoatU.S. licensees. From then the challenges of dealing with the “big” 40 foot boats of Tampa Bay grew exponentially. In Fort Lauderdale we were exposed to much larger boats and a much steeper learning curve. I read every book I could find on salvage and listened to any salty old timer that would give me advice. Much of that advice was correct though there were a couple I didn’t listen to a second time due to some rocky results with often hilarious outcomes!
We began with a 24’ Privateer as our only towboat and me as the only “operator” as the Coast Guard didn’t even require we be licensed back then; I think there were about 20 of us in the whole country towing recreational vessels. I couldn’t afford to stay in a marina so I trailered my boat to the ramp every morning and home every night and in 1990 I became a licensed United States Coast Guard Master.
One of the first jobs I remember was when a homeowner called me stating their 17’ boat had capsized at the dock and could I re-right and dewater it. I replied “of course” having no idea in the world how one would approach such a task. I went about the job carefully but with youthful enthusiasm and about 3 days later I achieved success.
As the volume of jobs increased, so did the complexity of the challenges. Soon we had 2 boats with 2 more, now USCG licensed, Captains. I found in these guys a sounding board and common sense approaches to more and more difficult salvages. As we continued to grow we invested heavily into equipment and employed even more knowledgeable teammates.
Now, instead of agonizing over a capsized 17’ boat, we gradually began doing salvage and recovery on mega yachts and airplanes. 30 years later with all that in our repertoire, we also do many Charter operations for the US Navy all around the Southern United States, work with NOAA from Mexico to Bermuda including the Caribbean, work with SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, assist in making blockbuster movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Captain Philips, we started a division putting spill containment boom around ships while they fuel and a Launch Service taking people and supplies to ships all around the Southeastern U.S.
We currently operate 13 vessels with a team of nearly 40 full time employees responding from multiple ports in South Florida. Rather than my living room and garage, we own a 15,000 square foot Shop, Office and Warehouse complex which serves as our base of operations.
My passion for Towing and Salvage is just as strong as it was 30 years ago! Our team is the best in the industry and I have been very fortunate to surround myself with a leadership team that shares my commitment to perfect customer service, safety and creating a positive working environment for our staff. In Bridge level leadership, I’ve been working with Kevin Collins, Director of Operations for 20 years, Chloe Collins, Director of Administration for 17 years, Barney Hauf, Director of Development for 16 years.
Other committed and extraordinarily valuable members of our team include Adam Utterstrom, Captain and Salvage diver for 22 years, Jeff Hamilton, Shop Supervisor 15 years, Adrian Barker, Operations Manager 13 years, George Bassett III, Senior Supervisor, 10 years. Captain Steve Morrissey, who currently works for us part time has been instrumental in our success in several capacities for the past 24 years!
When you see these folks on your jobs or speak with them on the phone please take a second to acknowledge that you know of their loyal service to the company and it is because of their friendship, advice (sometimes very passionate advice) and dedication that we are who we are today.
Our company has been disciplined in setting goals and measuring success. We defined a set of core values that are evident to each and every employee that helps to achieve those goals daily. Although there are 5 core values, the one that is repeated amongst staff and management the most is “Do the Right Thing”. The company attributes much of our success to those four words. You will see another statement in bold print in the signature line if you receive an email from the company. This statement is simply “Solving Complex Marine Problems Since 1989”. When we receive a phone call from a Claims Adjuster, Ships Agent, Boat Owner, Dock Master, U.S. Navy, or anyone else, we go into problem solving mode. Our people draw on their experience to help make dealing with us a pleasure. Our goal is to take over your worries so you can move on to the next project knowing that this one will be addressed with nothing short of excellence.
With all of the above in mind, in the end it is the relationships we’ve built over these 3 decades that we have treasured. Many lifelong friendships have been forged with vendors, colleagues and customers. We’ve had a lot of great laughs! While I’m on the subject, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you personally. Without you, none of this would have been possible.
My phone is always on, just like it was when I was responding to disabled boats back in 1989. Don’t hesitate to call, email or hail me on your VHF. Our team anxiously anticipates what the future will bring and know I love the complicated ones to this day!
Very gratefully,
Larry Acheson
