Robert G Allan, the influential naval architect who transformed his family business into one of the world’s foremost tugboat design firms, has been honoured with the British Tugowners Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award at its 90th conference in Belfast.
This recognition adds to Mr Allan’s distinguished career, which also saw him receive Riviera’s International Tug & Salvage Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Mr Allan, who joined the ceremony virtually from Vancouver, was recognised for his decades-long contribution to technological advancement in tug design, with a particular focus on propulsion systems, crew safety and operational capability. The award, presented by founder and president of Targe Towing, Tom Woolley, acknowledges his leadership through what the BTA described as “an amazing era of change in the world of tugs.”
“I’m greatly honoured to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award and the recognition that it represents from your organisation,” Mr Allan told delegates via video link, describing the accolade from tug owners as “especially gratifying because it clearly means we must be doing something right.”
In presenting the award, the BTA highlighted Mr Allan’s pioneering work in Z-drive and Voith-Schneider propulsion systems, improved general design capability and his critical contributions to escort towing development, noting these innovations had “undoubtedly meant a much safer working environment for every tug crew member.”
The award represents a particular milestone for Mr Allan, whose Scottish heritage and professional formation are deeply connected to British maritime traditions. He received his naval architecture education at the University of Glasgow, following in his grandfather’s footsteps, and gained his first professional experience at Burness, Corlett & Partners, where he worked on the very first series of Z-drive tractor tugs in 1971-72.
“Not so many years ago – probably more than 30 years ago – I felt it was very unlikely that we would ever make inroads into either the UK or European tug markets,” Mr Allan reflected.
“However, today our designs are widely recognised and respected here and around the globe, and that’s an incredibly satisfying and humbling feeling.”
Mr Allan was particularly moved by the recent commissioning of a fleet of his company’s tug designs at Forth for Targe Towing, noting “this would have made both my grandfather and my father extremely proud to see the results of work that bears both their names coming home to Scotland.”
While acknowledging the pace of his work has slowed, Mr Allan emphasised that projects initiated during his leadership to improve tugboat performance and safety continue to expand under his colleagues. He specifically recognised Robert Allan chief executive Mike Fitzpatrick for “the amazing job he is doing in leading the company today as it goes from strength to strength.”
In accepting the award, Mr Allan pledged to “continue to exert whatever influence I may still have for the advancement of tugboat design and in particular for tug safety everywhere,” underscoring his ongoing commitment to the industry despite his semi-retirement.
The article can be found on Riviera’s website here – Riviera – News Content Hub – Robert G Allan receives BTA Lifetime Achievement Award
With gratitude to Edwin Lampert and Riviera for granting permission to the BTA to publish the article.
