Page 57: of Marine News Magazine (November 2025)

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On the towing side, a structured progression takes deckhands through to captain. “After two years as a deck- hand, we pay your tuition and daily rate while you go to school for your

AB, then AB to steersman, and on up to mate and master,” says Stevens. “You can start on deck and end up running an ocean-going tug.”

He shares one story that captures the culture perfectly: “We had a young (L to R) Kurt Olsen, VP Shipyard Operations, guy who started as a deckhand and

Johnson Stevens & Marine News editor now operates the 820-ton Travelift.

One night, he was under pressure to

Greg Trauthwein in the shipyard. ? nish a dry-docking before sunset. He refused to rush, saying, ‘I’m not go- For all the cranes, Travel Lifts, your niche, supporting your custom- ing any further until I’m sure it’s safe.’ and tugboats, Stevens Towing’s real ers, and ? guring it out.”

The next morning, we gave him a bo- strength lies in its culture of continu- From produce to power cables, from nus in front of everyone. That’s what ity and trust—values that trace direct- railheads to renewable energy, Stevens success looks like—doing the right ly back to its founders. “We’ve learned Towing has been connecting the Low- thing, even when no one’s watching.” to stick with what we’re good at,” Ste- country to the wider world for more vens says. “We don’t chase every new than a century. And with “G4” at the

Weathering the Cycles thing, but we’re not afraid to evolve wheel, the next generation of Stevens

Like most long-lived maritime com- when we have to. It’s about knowing innovation is already underway.

panies, Stevens Towing has endured its share of storms, economic, personal and literal. “There have been great years and some bleak ones,” Stevens re? ects. “What I learned from my par- ents and grandparents is to stay conser- vative ? nancially and take care of your people. They’ll weather it with you.”

That approach has paid dividends in the recent slowdown. “The last few months have been a little soft, so we pulled our own vessel maintenance for- ward to keep our core group working,” he says. “It’s not what you want to do when business slows, but it keeps your assets ready and your people engaged.”

The long view, he believes, is what separates survivors from casualties in this business. “There are always going to be swings. You stay patient, stay smart, and when the tide turns, you’re ready.” www.marinelink.com MN 57|