Marine Towing in Tampa

When you need fast, reliable marine towing in Tampa, you want a crew that knows the Bay like the back of their hand and can mobilize 24/7. Dann Ocean Towing has supported ship operators, marine contractors, and cargo owners across the Tampa Bay area for generations, helping move barges, dead ships, and project equipment safely and on schedule.

For marine towing in Tampa, call Dann Ocean Towing for ocean towing services, barge delivery, dead-ship towage, job-site mobilization/demobilization, and emergency response. Local crews,  and century-deep experience keep your project moving, day or night.

• Local tug teams staged for Tampa Bay, Hillsborough River, and Port Tampa Bay.
• Full project support: planning, permits, dispatch, documentation, and updates.
• Dead-ship, inland/ocean barge, tandem (double) towing, and long-haul ocean towing.
• 24/7 contact for emergencies and active voyage updates.
• AWO member, RCP compliant; safety and regulatory alignment built in.

Ocean Towing Services

If your project requires moving a barge, dead ship, or heavy equipment along the Gulf or up the East Coast, our ocean towing services are ready. We plan routes around Tampa Bay traffic, ship channel constraints, bridge clearances, tides, and seasonal weather.

From staging at Port Tampa Bay to hand-offs in the Gulf of Mexico, you get a single point of contact and detailed updates, no guesswork.

How we help

• Tow planning with weather windows and tug selection
• Coordination with Port Tampa Bay, pilots, and terminals
• Voyage tracking and ETA reporting
• Full documentation for regulators and stakeholders

Where we work locally

• Harbor Island
• Davis Islands
• Port Tampa
• Gandy
• MacDill area waters
• Old Tampa Bay
• Hillsborough Bay
• the Alafia River
• the Hillsborough River.

We also support operations connecting Tampa with St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the greater Tampa Bay area.

Ocean Towing

For longer routes, Gulf to East Coast legs, Caribbean repositioning, or cross-basin moves, we bring the same disciplined process to ocean towing. Your equipment arrives in the condition you expect because we plan conservatively and communicate constantly.

Typical moves

• Hopper and tank barges to and from Tampa
• Dead-ship towage to yards for repair or lay-up
• Construction equipment and specialty project cargo

What to expect

Tug assignment matched to load and sea state, redundancy for gear and comms, and contingency plans for weather or traffic holds.

Marine Towing

Marine towing in Tampa often means handling tight approaches, tidal currents, and commercial traffic. Our captains know the shoals, turns, and timing that keep your tow smooth through Sparkman Channel, Seddon Channel, and the Hookers Point area. We coordinate with pilots and terminals so your schedule holds.

Common requests

• Assist moves inside Port Tampa Bay
• River transits for yard work or refits
• Support for marine construction near bridges and terminals

Service highlights

• 24/7 dispatch for planned and urgent tows
• Transparent rates and scope confirmation before lines are made fast
• Local crews who answer the phone and know the water

Delivery of Offshore Barges and Equipment

Moving barges and heavy gear into and out of Tampa requires timing, permits, and coordination. We handle the details so your crew can focus on the job.

Included with delivery

• Tow plan, gear checks, and securement review
• Coordination with terminals and stevedores
• Arrival notice and turnover documentation

Routes commonly connect the Tampa Bay area with the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic seaboard, and inland waterways.

Tandem (Double) Towing of Barges

When the scope calls for tandem towing, we manage the configuration safely, either one tug with two linked barges or two tugs handling a single oversized barge. We evaluate sea room, traffic density, and weather to choose the setup that protects schedule and equipment.

Benefits

• Fewer voyages for multi-barge projects
• Efficient staging for large marine construction timelines

Job Site Mobilization and Demobilization

Marine construction doesn’t start when the crane arrives, it starts with reliable mobilization. We assemble your equipment package, move it to site, and demob when the work is done.

What’s included

• Tug and barge scheduling aligned to your milestones
• Load planning and securement checks
• Required notifications and paperwork for the port and agencies
• Final reporting at demob

Projects we support in Tampa: bridge work near Gandy and Howard Frankland, shoreline protection, dredging, and terminal improvements around Channelside and Hookers Point.

Salvage and Rescue of Inoperable Ships

If a mechanical failure leaves a vessel without power or steering, speed matters. Our team sets a safe tow plan, secures the vessel, and clears traffic corridors to reduce risk and downstream costs.

Typical scenarios

• Dead-ship tow from anchor to yard
• Assist after grounding or gear damage
• Rapid response in shipping lanes and approaches

Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Towage

For Tampa-based assets heading to international yards or projects, we provide planning and execution for long-distance towage. Expect conservative weather routing, gear redundancy, and regular position reports throughout the voyage.

Coverage

• U.S. East Coast
• Gulf of Mexico
• Caribbean
• Trans-Atlantic
• Trans-Pacific

connections through partner ports.

24-Hour Contact and Emergency Services

Marine operations don’t keep banker’s hours. You can reach our dispatch any time for updates, ETAs, or emergency towing service. We’ll give you straight answers and a realistic plan.

When to call

• Engine/steering loss
• Tight weather windows for barge delivery
• Schedule shifts that need a new tug assignment

Local Knowledge That Saves Time

Tampa Bay has quirks, tides that stack up under the Gandy, weekend traffic spikes near the cruise terminals, shifting shoals after heavy weather. Our captains plan around these realities so your tow stays predictable. If you operate in South Tampa, Westshore, Ybor, Channelside, or up the Hillsborough River, we’ve likely moved similar equipment through those reaches this month.

Helpful tip: If your tow depends on a narrow weather window, loop us in early. We’ll hold tug options and coordinate with terminals so your loading crew isn’t waiting on water.

Why Tampa Chooses Dann Ocean Towing

• Proven track record: Over a century of waterborne service, with modern equipment and local crews.
• Clear communication: You’ll always know the plan, the timeline, and the next update.
• Full-scope support: From short-haul marine towing to long-distance ocean towing and emergency response.
• Local presence: Fast dispatch anywhere in the Tampa Bay area.

Service Area – Tampa Bay Area

• Tampa
• Port Tampa
• Davis Islands
• Harbour Island
• Channelside
• Ybor
• Westshore
• Gandy
• Apollo Beach
• Riverview (Alafia River)
• Hillsborough River corridor
• Old Tampa Bay
• Connections to St. Petersburg and Clearwater