MGBW E-News 5/5/25: Marco V Electrifying the West Coast, MGBW Day & Sweetwater Park Grand Opening!

May 05, 2025

MGBW E-News 5/5/25: Marco V Electrifying the West Coast, MGBW Day & Sweetwater Park Grand Opening!

MARCO V: MGBW Completes the First Ever Tugboat Electric Repower

Our very own MARCO V tug is paving the way for the maritime industry now that MGBW has proven that truckable tugboats can be converted to zero-emissions. Truckable tugs like this are important to our daily operations—towing vessels to and from the docks and taking crew to and from their boats. It took us 2,000 man hours to replace the MARCO V’s diesel engine with a fully integrated electric operating system, battery and charging system. The electrification was made possible by the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW Trust) which awarded a grant to MGBW in 2023 in the amount of $470,400 to cover 75% of the repower costs.

This tug was named after one of our longest running production employees, Paint Supervisor Marco Vega, who has been with us for over 34 years.

“Being the first to convert a truckable tug to electric meant there was no one to ask, and this was a highly complex repower. Through extensive engineering and close collaboration between component manufacturers and our expert team of mechanics, we navigated through it,” shared President Todd Roberts.

We’re always looking for innovative ways to take a more sustainable approach to the boatbuilding and repair business, such as transitioning more than 85% of our vehicles, forklifts and heavy duty equipment to electric and installing the largest solar panel system in the Port later this year. These endeavors bring us closer to reaching our goal of increased sustainability and efficiency. If you’d like to learn more about what helped make this project possible, check out our recent press release here: https://www.marinegroupbw.com/blog/.

May 10: Happy Marine Group Boat Works Day!

Each May, the world celebrates the importance of the maritime industry – without those who work in shipping, maritime transportation, etc — we would not have the common items that we take for granted like sugar, toothpaste, bananas, batteries and fuel.

In 2016, as a special tribute to all of you who make vessels run and safe to operate, the Mayor of Chula Vista declared May 10th as Marine Group Boat Works Day to give us a day to celebrate the contributions our shipyard has made in our local economy.

We’re one of the few yards in the world with a specialized team of boatbuilders and refitters that are cross trained to service a variety of vessels from aluminum to steel, from tugboats to patrol crafts to megayachts.

Since expanding our capacity in 2007, MGBW has gone from 25 to 208 skilled craftspeople – an 830% increase in employees! MGBW has also impacted the local economy by more than $1.5 BILLION. In 2024 alone, we spent more than $52 million in subcontractors and suppliers. MGBW is also one of the last privately owned boatbuilders remaining in California. We have survived recessions, outlived pandemics and always come out on top – and we do it because we have strong, resilient people like you by our side.

Please join us on Thursday, May 22 for a yard lunch to celebration YOU on the day the nation celebrates Maritime Day. We’ll also recognize 20 year employee anniversaries of Electrician Supervisor Ricardo Ontiveros and Mechanic Richard Hickman as well as 10 year employee anniversary of Welder Edwin Bautista.

Maritime Day Yard Lunch

Thu, May 22

11:30 – 12pm

Celebrating 20-Year and 10-Year Employee Anniversaries

Chula Vista’s Sweetwater Park Now Open!

The recent opening of Sweetwater Park offers an opportunity for nature and art lovers alike to gather over 39 acres of multipurpose recreational space. Adjacent to the Living Coast Discovery Center, there’s a trail to through the park that starts on Lagoon Drive, just a 10-minute walk from work. The California Department of Parks and Recreation joined with the National Park service to provide $20 million for the park transformation, which includes a playground and art installations. Whether you’re interested in a power walk during lunch, trail riding or bird watching, there’s something for everyone! This unique space provides a safe, outdoor space for those in the South Bay community to gather in nature while learning more about local history and native plants.

Sweetwater Park is open to the public from 6:00AM-10:30PM every day, providing ample opportunity for a sunrise or sunset walk on the 2.5 miles of carefully planned walkways. You’re welcome to bring your furry friend (on leash) and will have access to both public restrooms and parking. If you’re interested in checking out what this space has to offer, please visit Sweetwater Park | Port of San Diego!