WorkBoat is proud to announce its 10 Significant Boats of 2026, recognizing outstanding commercial vessels built or featured during the qualifying period. The honorees, listed alphabetically by name, span dredging, offshore, towing, pilotage, passenger service, and research.
Acadia
Subsea rock installation vessel
Owner Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co.
Builder Hanwha Philly Shipyard
Designer Ulstein Design and Solutions B.V.
Atlantic Endurance
Crew transfer vessel
Owner Atlantic Wind Transfers
Builder St. Johns Ship Building
Designer Chartwell Marine
Calcasieu Pilot
Pilot boat
Owner Lake Charles Pilots
Builder Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, the Duclos Corp.
Designer Ray Hunt Design
Capt. Daniel Armstrong
Towboat
Owner Blessey Marine Services
Builder Vessel Repair Inc.
Designer Vessel Repair Inc.
Cowlitz
Dredge tender
Owner Port of Portland (Ore.)
Builder Nichols Brothers Boat Builders
Designer Glosten
El Escudo
Tour boat
Owner Harbor Breeze Cruises
Builder All American Marine
Designer Teknicraft Design
Firefly
Passenger vessel
Owner Upstream Alliance
Builder Lyman-Morse
Designer Gerr Marine
Frederick Paup
Trailing suction hopper dredger
Owner Manson Construction
Builder Seatrium AmFELS
Designer Hockema Group
Marauder
Tugboat
Owner Maritime Partners
Builder Master Boat Builders
Designer Robert Allan Ltd.
Sadie Ann
Research vessel
Owner Lake Superior Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Superior
Builder Midship Marine
Designer Incat Crowther
Why these boats are significant
WorkBoat's editorial team considers a vessel significant not just for its design, but for what it represents within the commercial marine industry. Considerations include:
- First-of-its-kind vessels and successful new series
- Unique missions and unusual operating environments
- Expansion into emerging markets
- Service to critical U.S. maritime sectors
- U.S. shipbuilding innovation and regional excellence
Boat of the Year announcement
The Boat of the Year will be selected from the 10 Significant Boats of 2026 and announced at the International WorkBoat Show.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2026
4–5 p.m. CT | Main Stage
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, La.
