Meet the Navy’s Smallest Vessel: The Mighty Mini Tug Boomin Beaver

Don’t let the adorable size fool you – the “Boomin Beaver” plays a vital role in keeping the Navy’s most powerful vessels safe.

While aircraft carriers launch fighter jets and battleships unleash heavy firepower, the Boomin Beaver tackles a different kind of mission: protecting harbors and critical infrastructure with stealth and precision.

Small But Mighty

This 19-foot (5.7-meter) mini tugboat might not be launching helicopters, but its role is equally important.

Nicknamed the Boomin Beaver by its crew, this vessel specializes in deploying, operating, and maintaining harbor security booms.

Unlike larger tugs, the Beaver’s compact size allows it to get closer to the water, enabling a crew of two to five sailors to safely maneuver and open or close these underwater barriers without risking damage to massive warships.

From Logging Logs to Stopping Warships: An Unexpected Journey

The Boomin Beaver’s story has an interesting twist.

Built in 2002 by Chuck’s Boat and Drive in Washington, 19BB (also stands for “Barrier Boats”) was originally designed for the commercial logging industry, tugging floating logs.

However, the struggling logging industry in the early 2000s forced Chuck’s Boat and Drive to look for new opportunities.

The US Navy, meanwhile, was searching for a reliable and compact tug capable of handling harbor security tasks.

The Beaver’s size and maneuverability perfectly matched their needs.

The endearing nickname given by the crew stuck, and the Boomin Beaver was inducted into service in 2003.

Boomin Beaver’s Specifications

This mighty mini-tug measures 19 feet long with a 10-foot beam, a draft of 5.5 feet, and displaces a weight of around 10,000 kilograms.

A 260-horsepower Cummins 6BTA 5.9 diesel engine with a ZF marine transmission propels the Beaver through the water.

The Navy currently operates a fleet of ten Boomin Beavers.

These crucial vessels are stationed at strategic locations around the world, including the Boston Navy Yard, Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Base Point Loma, and even the US Naval base in Sasebo, Japan.

Not Your Typical Warship

While the Boomin Beaver plays a vital role in naval operations, it’s important to remember it’s not a warship.

It isn’t armed and focuses solely on harbor security tasks.

Although much bigger than the Beaver, the USS Pueblo, at 177 feet long, remains one of the US Navy’s smaller ships. She was a Banner-class environmental research ship that was later attached to naval intelligence before it was unfortunately captured by North Korea in 1968, along with its crew as Prisoners of War.

With its compact size and maneuverability, it has proven itself invaluable in harbor security operations.

However, the world of technology is constantly evolving, and the Navy is always looking for ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The future of the Boomin Beaver program remains to be seen.

Still, one thing is certain: the distinctive silhouette of this mini tugboat will likely continue to be a familiar sight in strategic harbors around the world for years to come.

See below a short (excuse the pun) video on the “Beaver.”

This article has been reviewed and updated by the SOFREP News Team.