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Vinik Marine Services
Founded in 2004 by Captain Mike Vinik, Vinik Marine specializes in tugboat operations and possesses deep expertise in a wide array of specialty marine services. We maintain a fleet of nine tugs, twelve barges, and three crew boats in Port Reading available to rent along the Arthur Kill.
Vinik Marine Services is headquartered in Keyport, New Jersey. We pride ourselves on being leading experts in the New York and New Jersey waterways. Our localized operations ensure our captains have the specific geographic knowledge and technical expertise required to safely maneuver your vessels and equipment.
"I utilized the Tug "Agnes" of Vinik Marine for arrival and departure with the HMS 2605 into the inside berth at Shell Sewaren last evening and this morning. In my opinion, it is the ideal boat for this job. It makes the job stress free and adds a layer of safety which is needed with the conglomeration of Weeks equipment directly behind berth. The tug is small and maneuverable with more than enough juice to get it done."
Sean Crowley
St. Andrews
Where it all Started: Vinik Marine, Gotham, Dorothy Elizabeth
One year after graduating from SUNY Maritime with a BS and a mate's license, Capt. Mike Vinik was working full-time on the Sandmaster and dreaming of becoming a Sandy Hook Pilot. In need of an income during the pilot's training period, he set his sights on purchasing a tugboat.
Once the fastest tugboat in the harbor, the Gotham, built in 1951, had been the flagship of Mobil Oil's NYC fleet. Mike purchased her the day before she was scheduled to be scuttled as an artificial reef, and thus founded Vinik Marine.
It took nine months of crawling through the sludge in the bilge, replacing frozen pipes, repairing cylinders, and enduring New York winter nights sleeping aboard a vessel with no hot water and no heat before the Gotham finally ran. It was a true labor of love. Once she was running, she was rechristened the Dorothy Elizabeth in honor of Mike's beloved grandmother, Dorothy Elizabeth Azzolino. Mike later named his first dog, a black Mastiff, Gotham.
2004
"I just wanted to touch base regarding the approach into Shell Sewaren which I performed for the umpteenth time this morning, but the first time using an assist to get into the berth.
Having access to an assist boat that is handy enough to get inside of the berth makes the job much easier and safer. We used the Vinik Marine Services tug NICHOLAS VINIK this morning and I was amazed at how much more positive control I had over the unit by being able to get the assist boat up inside the berth, especially with an east wind. I would highly recommend, and it is my professional opinion, that having an assist boat that was as deftly handled by the Vinik operator, coupled with the luxury of being able to get the assist up inside the berth makes the job much safer to perform. I hope in the future scheduling will take into account the difficulty of the maneuver being asked of us, and will continue to use Vinik Marine Services for this particular job."
Christopher W. Gough, Master
Tug Fells Point, Vane Brothers
Career Decisions & Charles Oxman
Assisting and towing at all hours brought the need for more crew. This allowed Mike to seize an opportunity to bring another tugboat, the HS Falk, out of retirement in Tampa and turn Vinik Marine from a one-tug operation into a fleet. He purchased the HS Falk and rechristened her the Charles Oxman after a pivotal father figure.
As the Charles entered NY harbor off Sandy Hook, Mike Vinik watched from a Pilot Boat. He'd been accepted by the Sandy Hook Pilots and had left the Charles during its voyage to New Jersey in order to report for duty as a pilot in training. Mike realized he couldnt resist the world of tugboating and left the Pilots shortly thereafter, although he continues to add former Pilot Boats to his fleet today, an homage to his original aspirations.
2006
"I just wanted to compliment you on the successful tow of the Cape Ann to the JRRF, and in particular the boat handling at arrival. I was a little concerned that without assist boats there may be a problem, but my concerns were quickly put aside when the tow arrived. It was obvious that the boat and captain were up to the challenge. It was a demonstration of some fine boat handling and the best I have seen in long while. Kudos to you and your crew.
Martin Walker, Fleet Superintendent
James River Reserve Fleet
Fleet Building
2007: Vinik Marine acquired the Mike Azzolino named for Mike's grandfather. The Mike was scrapped in 2016. Next, Vinik Marine purchased the Teri Lou, a small truckable pushboat named for Mike's aunt. The Teri Lou sank in Hurricane Sandy in 2011.
2015: Vinik Marine added the Agnes to the fleet, named for Mike's mother.
2017: Two new tugs joined the Vinik Marine fleet. The second Mike Azzolino and the Liz Vinik, named for Mike's wife who joined the family the same year.
2018: The now-famous Vinik No. 6 was acquired by Vinik Marine, as was the Ken Vinik, named after Mike's brother. The Nicholas Vinik, named for Mike's newborn son, made three.
2021: The Savannah Vinik was named for Mike's daughter.
2022: The Sandy Hook Pilot's former station boat the New York was acquired by Vinik Marine. Mike named a new truckable pushboat the Bob Vinik after his father. Bob was also a tugboat captain.
2023: The second Teri Lou found her place in the fleet.
2024 -2025: Mike named his next round of new boats after three Vinik Marine Captains he can't do without. Tugs Capt. Marco and Capt. Kyle, and a Point Class Cutter, the Capt. Chuck, came onboard.
2026: The Louisa, the Sandy Hook, and the Jay Bee V have all arrived so far this year and are waiting to be renamed.
"In the mid-2000's I was Capt. on the tug Penn No 6, pushing the Bg. Penn 120 in and mostly arround NY Harbor. At that time Penn had a policy in NY Harbor to let the Capt choose the Asst. Tug that he wanted to use. I'd heard about the Red,White and Blue tugs down at Perth Amboy and decided to give them a try. At that time it was the Dorothy Elizabeth, I was very impressed with the skill and professionalism so I started using Vinik exclusively. When the Charles Oxman arrived, it was like Superman arriving. I was able to miss a tide and still go into piers that I would have had to wait other wise. With the power of the Oxman and Mike's skill, I counted on them when things went bad, and they came through every time."
Mark Feltrop, Captain
Penn No. 6, now Vinik No. 6
A Rising Star, Tugboat Races & Historic Tows
If you Google "Who is the most famous tugboat captain in the world" chances are AI will inform you Capt. Mike is one of the top contenders, known primarily for his historic tow of the SS United States. His path to fame started much earlier.
Mike grew up on the water in Keyport NJ. While his father was a tugboat captain, it was his mother who taught him how to sail.. He passed along that knowledge teaching countless youth the same. He continues this tradition of education by mentoring and shepherding deckhands in his employ up through the ranks to become captains themselves.
His first big moment in the news was in 2008 when the Dorothy Elizabeth won first place in Division B of the Annual Great North River Tugboat Race in New York Harbor. The Liz Vinik later took first place in the 2018 race, while also earning the "Best Looking Tug" title. In 2019, the final year the historic races were held, Vinik Marine dominated the podium: the Vinik No. 6 placed first, and the Liz Vinik took third.
Capt. Mike has earned a stellar reputation for excellent seamanship, integrity, and deep knowledge of boats, waterways, and tides. While years of high-profile tows have added to his renown, his foundational reputation was built on consistently well-executed small assists into notoriously difficult berths—such as the tight inside slips at Shell Sewaren—which the crew skillfully handles on a daily basis.
