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TUGBOATS & WORKBOATS

Polaris Marine Group provides tugboat and workboat hire for marine construction, barge handling, and site support.
Polaris Marine Group operates one of Australia’s most capable and diverse fleets of tugboats and workboats, available for hire across a wide range of marine construction, transport, and support services. Whether you’re moving heavy assets across a harbour, assisting a barge on station, supporting dredging or diving operations, or coordinating a port project, our vessels and crews are ready to assist. Our fleet includes shallow-draft workboats, twin-screw tugs, line-handling vessels, push boats, and utility craft. Each vessel is fully equipped for the operational task at hand, with appropriate deck gear, towing equipment, and certified crew. From ports and harbours to remote coastal sites and inland waterways, Polaris delivers reliable marine support wherever it’s needed.

Marine Support from a Trusted Operator

We understand the importance of dependability in marine operations. Whether it’s a barge needing repositioning during a pile drive or a pontoon needing secure transit to a project site, we bring the right vessel and crew for the job. Our team works alongside marine engineers, contractors, and infrastructure clients to ensure every tug or workboat is integrated into broader operational plans. Each job begins with a discussion about scope, location, and logistics. Based on this, we select the most suitable vessel and prepare a detailed operations plan. All Polaris crews are experienced in complex marine environments and operate under strict safety protocols. We coordinate with stakeholders to make sure permits, site access, and compliance documentation are in place before operations commence.

Versatile Vessels for Varied Conditions

Our tugboats and workboats are built to handle a variety of tasks, from heavy-duty towing to light-duty transport and general utility work. Many of our vessels are road-transportable or modular, allowing for deployment to inland and regional projects. Others are suited to 24-hour harbour operations, assisting barges, transporting equipment, or supporting construction activities. Because we manage our own vessels, we’re able to modify or reconfigure them for site-specific applications. This can include adding bollards, hydraulic winches, lifting points, survey mounts, or other specialist equipment depending on the nature of the job. We also ensure our vessels are compliant with AMSA and state maritime authority regulations, including certification for commercial use.

Shallow Draft Capability and Access

Many of Australia’s inland and coastal projects occur in shallow or environmentally sensitive waters. Polaris Marine Group operates a fleet of shallow draft workboats capable of accessing sites that deeper vessels cannot reach. These vessels are commonly used in riverine, estuarine, and intertidal areas, and are regularly deployed in support of dredging, reclamation, environmental monitoring, or survey works. We also provide line-handling and push-boat support for restricted waterways and urban marine construction zones, where careful manoeuvring and vessel control is essential. These compact, powerful vessels are ideal for tight berths, narrow accessways, and sites with limited mooring space.

Project Integration and Coordination

Our tugboats and workboats are typically hired as part of a broader marine operation. Whether working in conjunction with a crane barge, servicing a dredging spread, or supporting underwater construction, our vessels are integrated into the full delivery schedule of the project. We work closely with clients and their engineers to ensure the timing and role of our assets aligns with overall objectives. Our operators are used to working alongside other trades and can assist with coordination, traffic management, and site communications. They are skilled at adapting to changing conditions and requirements, allowing for flexibility on complex or high-pressure jobs. Polaris can also supply full towage and mobilisation support for marine infrastructure, temporary works, and project delivery. Our towage services have included cross-harbour tows, construction site barge positioning, long-distance relocation of floating plant, and standby vessel duties. Whether the job is a short repositioning or a multi-day transit, we apply the same level of care and planning to each operation.

Support for Marine Construction and Maintenance

Workboats are a critical part of marine construction projects, providing transport for crews, equipment, materials, and divers. Polaris Marine Group has a long history of providing workboat services for pile driving, jetty works, sheet piling, dredging, rock placement, fender installation, and structural repairs. We also support inspection teams, engineers, and environmental monitors who require dependable on-water access to their worksites. We maintain a rotating schedule of maintenance and servicing for our vessels, ensuring that each one is fully operational, up to code, and ready to perform. In many cases, our workboats are also used in response and recovery efforts, including storm clean-up, salvage assistance, and emergency water transport.

Experienced Crews and Compliance Systems

Every Polaris vessel comes with an experienced, licensed crew. Our operators are not just skilled mariners—they also understand how to work within construction zones, ports, and high-traffic waterways. They are trained in marine safety and environmental protection, and they follow rigorous protocols for pre-starts, operations, and shutdowns. We provide all required documentation including vessel certifications, crew qualifications, safety plans, risk assessments, and operating procedures. This ensures clients, authorities, and site managers are confident in the safety and compliance of all tug and workboat operations. For longer-term projects, Polaris can embed vessels and crews into a client’s program, supporting daily or weekly operations as needed. We take pride in building strong relationships with project teams, providing consistent service and communication throughout the duration of the job.

Rapid Deployment and National Reach

With operational bases in Sydney and access to road-transportable vessels, Polaris Marine Group is able to respond quickly to projects across New South Wales and beyond. We mobilise vessels and crew to site efficiently, with full pre-deployment planning including logistics, site prep, and compliance checks. We understand that many marine operations are time-sensitive, weather-dependent, or linked to other trades. Our ability to move quickly, respond to changing schedules, and maintain clear communication is a key part of our value to clients. As one of Australia’s most experienced marine contractors, Polaris Marine Group is trusted by government agencies, port operators, infrastructure contractors, and private developers to provide safe, reliable marine support services—underpinned by a deep understanding of what it takes to work on water.

PROJECTS

SEE US IN ACTION

Manton Dam

Polaris Marine Constructions were engaged by Exact Contracting to provide a modular crane barge service at the Dam wall at Manton Dam to deliver the replacement of internal valving and upgrades to the infrastructure of the Intake tower.

Nelligen Bridge Marine Support and Demolition Contract

Polaris Marine Group played a key role in the Nelligen Bridge project, providing overwater support for construction before demolishing the 7-span, 5,000-tonne bridge. The in-house demolition was incident-free, using a suspended work deck with geotextile and drainage to capture debris. Materials were processed on-site and recycled. This project highlighted Polaris Marine’s expertise in complex marine demolition within sensitive waterways.

Seabed Services Pipe Line Deployment

Deploy 3 service pipe lines on the sea floor between Garden Island and Fort Dennison and cover with precast grout mattresses.

Fort Denison – Ferry Wharf

This project included wharf demolition, sea wall remediation, pile installation, concrete works, and the installation of a new pontoon with electrical connections.

Circular Quay – Western Promenade – Soffit Concrete Repairs

This project involved concrete remediation works, including hydro-blasting, shotcrete application, bar reinforcement, protective coatings, and concrete cutting, with site set-up, exclusion zones, and sound curtain installation to ensure safety and minimal disruption.

Manly Boat Shed – Pontoon & Jetty Replacement

This project involved constructing a pontoon, gangway, and timber jetty, including piling, demolition, and electrical connections, to deliver a durable marine access solution.
SEE MORE POLARIS PROJECTS

TESTIMONIALS

HEAR FROM SOME
OF OUR CLIENTS

★★★★★ 5/5
“Polaris are awesome to work with, they make landscaping jobs with tricky access a breeze.”

Johnny L - Distinct Landscapes

★★★★★ 5/5
“The attention to detail provided by PMC during the project could not be faulted. Execution, safety, onsite management and the finished product were at a very high standard. Communication throughout the project from PMC Supervisors and Project Manager were regular and accurate. This enabled Thales to understand daily activities, problems and overall progression at every stage. Ultimately, the professionalism shown by PMC through all aspects of the project, enabled for a successful end product to the Commonwealth. I can’t thank Dane and the PMC team enough for the way the project was ran, start to finish.”

Jake Duncombe, Project Manager

★★★★★ 5/5
“Polaris were an exceptional contractor to work with throughout this project. They were fluent in communication, timely, reliable, nailed the quality of work and went out of their way to be flexible with Thales needs. They have a positive and healthy working relationship with Thales.”

Owen Gardner, Project Manager

★★★★★ 5/5
“I have had the pleasure of working with Polaris for the last couple of years, particularly with transporting vehicles for events, deliveries, and contractors. Their Team is professional and reliable, from their Operational Team, Cookie & Jay, to their Skippers and deckhands are incredibly efficient, even under tight event schedules. What really stands out is their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction. Such as accommodating last-minute changes, they always go the extra mile to make sure everything runs smoothly, giving us peace of mind. Over the years we have built a great relationship/partnership with Polaris and we look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come.”

Keighley O, Sydney Harbour Trust

GET IN CONTACT

If you need to tow it, show it, build it, push it, deliver it, lift it or salvage it over water; please complete this form and one of our team will be in touch.

Gate 2, James Craig Rd, Rozelle NSW 2039

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Phone: +61 2 9563 8333
Emergency Phone: +61 (0) 418 231 916

[email protected]

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Gate 2, James Craig Rd, Rozelle NSW 2039
[email protected]
Phone: +61 2 9563 8333
Emergency Phone +61 (0) 418 231 916
CERTIFICATION
BIMCO Certified
Certifications