Tug news: Theodore Tugboat heads Halifax to Port Dover

Apr 8, 2021

According to the Nova Scotia Tourism website, Theodore Tugboat began his travels in 1989, created by Cochran Entertainment, with master model maker Fred Allen, as a children’s television series inspired by the Halifax Waterfront and the stories Andrew Cochran would tell his son at bedtime. The CBC television program Theodore Tugboat ran from 1993 to 2001.

A working replica of Theodore, named “Theodore Too” was built in Dayspring, Nova Scotia. Designed by Fred Allen and Marius Lengkeek, the tug was launched on April 19, 2000 at the Snyder Shipyard. After a successful tour of several North America ports, it made its home in Halifax. Theodore is powered by a 400-horsepower 300 kilowatt Caterpillar 3406 turbocharged diesel engine.

Theodore Too, will soon start a new chapter promoting marine careers while based out of Hamilton, Ont., according to a release from current owner Ambassatours Gray Line.
The tug has been sold to marine industrialist Blair McKeil, who has strong ties to Nova Scotia. In his new role, Theodore will embark on promotional missions throughout the Great Lakes and Atlantic Canada to get people excited about the marine industry, McKeil said.

It’s expected Theodore will set sail for Hamilton later this spring but his specific departure date will be subject to both weather and inter-provincial COVID-19 protocols. The eventual new base for Theodore is Port Dover, ON.