Each fall, the editors of WorkBoat magazine reveal the 10 Significant Boats of the Year and select the Boat of the Year from that list. The winner is announced on Nov. 12, the first day of the the 2024 International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans.
Some years, WorkBoat’s Boat of the Year is selected by the readers of WorkBoat magazine and workboat.com by voting online. In alternate years, WorkBoat's editors pick the Boat of the Year. This year, the Boat of the Year will again be chosen by our readers by voting online.
What makes a boat “Significant”? These vessels may be the first of their kind, part of a successful series build, perform unique missions, operate in challenging environments, or push the boundaries of workboat innovation, such as in wind energy.
Choosing the 10 Significant Boats each year is subjective, with many boats deserving of making the list each year. However, there are certain parameters that the editorial staff adheres to in its efforts to give all boats that qualify a chance. For example, WorkBoat editors try to select at least one boat from each sector of the industry that WorkBoat magazine covers — inland towboats and barges, tugs, offshore service vessels, passenger vessels, etc. In addition, if possible, we try to select one boat from each region of the U.S. — East Coast, West Coast, Gulf Coast, and the Great Lakes. Only boats that appeared in WorkBoat magazine from December 2023 to November 2024 were eligible.
Check out the boats below and cast your vote for WorkBoat’s 2024 Boat of the Year!
Don’t forget to register for the show and join us for the Significant Boat Awards and Happy Hour on Nov. 12 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the International WorkBoat Show in New Orleans.
This year’s 10 Significant Boats (in alphabetical order) are:
Cape Hatteras and Cape Canaveral (Multi-Cat Dredge Support Vessel)
Owner: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Builder: Conrad Shipyard
Designer: Damen
Craft (Dinner Cruise Vessel)
Owner: Yacht Starship Dining Cruises
Builder: Hard Rock Marine Services
Designer: Dejong and Lebet
Esperanza "Hope" Andrade (Passenger/Vehicle Ferry)
Owner: Texas Department of Transportation
Builder: Gulf Island Fabricators
Designer: The Shearer Group
eWolf (All-Electric Harbor Tug)
Owner: Crowley
Builder: Master Boat Builders
Designer: Crowley
General Arnold (Cutter Suction Dredge)
Owner: Callan Marine
Builder: C & C Marine and Repair
Designer: C & C Marine and Repair
Ivy Steiner (Towboat)
Owner: Maritime Partners (chartered by LabMar Inland)
Builder: Steiner Construction
Designer: Steiner Construction
Jackpot Bay (Multimission Workboat)
Owner: Chenega Corp.
Builder: Brix Marine
Designer: Brix Marine
Pride of Maui (Excursion Boat)
Owner: Pride of Maui
Builder: Breaux Brothers Enterprises
Designer: Breaux Brothers Enterprises
Resilience (Research Vessel)
Owner: PNNL
Builder: Snow & Co.
Designer: Incat Crowther
Windserve Odyssey (2020), Windserve Genesis (2023), Windserve Journey (2023), Windserve Explorer (June 2024) (Crew Transfer Vessel)
Owner: WindServe Marine
Builder: Senesco Marine
Designer: BMT