Celebrating 40 years with Atlantic Towing

When Dan Albert started full-time with Atlantic Towing in 1985, he was told he would likely switch his career five times before retiring. Now 40 years later, Dan’s still working on the water as a Captain at Atlantic Towing.

“I grew up taking trips upriver with my father,” says Dan, who was born and raised in the Port City of Saint John. His father also built his career with Atlantic Towing from 1954 to 2000, working as a Captain for many years. “Once you get a taste of working on the water, that’s all it takes.” 

“I actually started working the summer season on the river with my father,” says Dan. When he started full-time after high school, he worked hauling wood chips down the river from Chipman. In 1990, Dan went back to school to work towards his Watchkeeping Mate Certificate. After finishing, he completed a few more years of sea time before going for his Captain’s Exam. Dan became a Captain for Atlantic Towing in April 1995. 

The Irving Spruce, the first tug Dan worked on, hauling wood chips down the river from Chipman to Saint John in the 1980s.

With Atlantic Towing, Dan has worked on the construction of the Confederation Bridge and the Hibernia Oil Production Platform. He’s towed pulp wood and wood chips across the Bay of Fundy and on the river. Now, Dan works on the Atlantic Spruce in the Port of Saint John. “It’s amazing, you can learn something new every day that you work on these boats.” 

“J.D. Irving has put food on my table since I was a kid,” says Dan. “Here I am 40 years later — it’s been a huge achievement and I’m proud.”