Shipyard Project Manager - Tugboat & Barge Fleet

Dann Marine Towing, LC; Chesapeake City (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dann Marine Towing, LC seeks a Shipyard Project Manager to plan, coordinate, and oversee shipyard periods for a fleet of tugboats and barges. You will ensure repair, maintenance, and regulatory programs are on time and within budget, serving as the primary liaison among shipyards, contractors, and vendors.

You will lead complex repair periods from scope development to final acceptance, requiring strong marine engineering knowledge, vendor management, and on-site leadership across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Strong background in marine engineering, naval architecture, or vessel repair management.
• Hands-on knowledge of tugboat and barge systems, including diesel engines, electrical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, and structural components.
• Proven experience managing shipyard projects or major vessel repair periods.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, repair specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in industrial environments, including confined spaces and elevated areas.
• Ability to lift tools, parts, and equipment as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed repair and maintenance scopes for scheduled shipyard periods.
• Solicit, review, and evaluate shipyard bids and contractor proposals.
• Coordinate project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Ensure all work aligns with company standards, regulatory requirements, and class rules.
• Serve as the on-site company representative during shipyard periods.
• Oversee daily progress, ensuring work is completed safely, correctly, and efficiently.
• Manage change orders, schedule adjustments, and emergent repairs.
• Conduct inspections of completed work and verify quality before acceptance.
• Coordinate with port engineers and vessel crews to ensure project alignment.
• Provide technical guidance on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and structural repairs.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and repair procedures.
• Support troubleshooting of complex vessel systems as needed during shipyard periods.
• Ensure proper testing, commissioning, and sea trials following major repairs.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including daily progress logs, cost tracking, and change orders.
• Prepare Port Engineering/Project Manager Reports summarizing completed work, costs, delays, and recommendations.
• Submit reports to upper management and participate in post-project reviews.
• Assist the Compliance Department in ensuring all regulatory documentation, class surveys, and USCG requirements are completed and filed.

Skills

Marine engineering

Naval architecture

Vessel repair management

Tugboat systems

Diesel engines

Electrical systems

Hydraulics

Pneumatics

Structural components

Reading blueprints

Job description

The Shipyard Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing shipyard periods for a fleet of tugboats and barges. This role ensures that repair, maintenance, and regulatory compliance projects are executed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. The Shipyard Project Manager serves as the primary liaison between the company, shipyards, contractors, and vendors, ensuring high-quality workmanship and clear communication throughout each project. This position requires strong technical knowledge of tugboat and barge systems, excellent project management skills, and the ability to lead complex repair periods from initial scope development through final acceptance.

Requirements:

Key Responsibilities

Shipyard Planning & Coordination

• Develop detailed repair and maintenance scopes for scheduled shipyard periods.
• Solicit, review, and evaluate shipyard bids and contractor proposals.
• Coordinate project timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Ensure all work aligns with company standards, regulatory requirements, and class rules.

Project Management & Oversight

• Serve as the on-site company representative during shipyard periods.
• Oversee daily progress, ensuring work is completed safely, correctly, and efficiently.
• Manage change orders, schedule adjustments, and emergent repairs.
• Conduct inspections of completed work and verify quality before acceptance.
• Coordinate with port engineers and vessel crews to ensure project alignment.

Technical & Operational Support

• Provide technical guidance on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and structural repairs.
• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and repair procedures.
• Support troubleshooting of complex vessel systems as needed during shipyard periods.
• Ensure proper testing, commissioning, and sea trials following major repairs.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate project documentation, including daily progress logs, cost tracking, and change orders.
• Prepare Port Engineering/Project Manager Reports summarizing completed work, costs, delays, and recommendations.
• Submit reports to upper management and participate in post-project reviews.
• Assist the Compliance Department in ensuring all regulatory documentation, class surveys, and USCG requirements are completed and filed.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong background in marine engineering, naval architecture, or vessel repair management.
• Hands‑on knowledge of tugboat and barge systems, including diesel engines, electrical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, and structural components.
• Proven experience managing shipyard projects or major vessel repair periods.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, repair specifications, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work in industrial environments, including confined spaces and elevated areas.
• Ability to lift tools, parts, and equipment as required.

Preferred

• Experience with EMD, Caterpillar, Cummins, Wabtec, Mitsubishi, or Alco main engines.
• Experience with Detroit, John Deere, Caterpillar, Cummins generators.
• Experience with Tank Barges.
• Experience with Ballast Water Treatment Systems.
• Familiarity with ABS, USCG, and other maritime regulatory frameworks.
• Welding, fabrication, or marine mechanical background.
• Prior experience with tug and barge industry.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in confined spaces, machinery spaces, and restricted areas.
• Ability to work in elevated areas, including masts, stacks, and scaffolding.
• Ability to lift parts, tools, and supplies as required.
• Ability to climb ladders, gangways, and vertical access points.
• Comfortable working around heat, noise, and heavy industrial equipment.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Frequent travel to shipyards and vessel locations.
• Extended on‑site presence required during major repair periods.
• Fast‑paced environment requiring strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
• Close coordination with engineering, operations, and vessel crews.

Position Type: Full-Time with benefits, Shoreside (Remote with Travel)

Schedule: Monday - Friday with weekends as required by operational needs.

Travel: Required during shipyard periods and as operational needs dictate. A company vehicle is provided.

Shipyard: Responsible for overseeing vessel and barge shipyard periods.