Captain Brian A. McAllister, maritime industry leader and president of the East Coast Vessel Support Company McAllister Towing, died in New York City on June 29, 2022 at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rosemary; two sons, Buckley and Eric; as well as four grandchildren.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved captain. Brian, who changed the future of McAllister Towing when he bought the business with his brothers and cousins, passed away peacefully this morning. at his home,” the company said in a statement. “We ask that you keep the McAllister family in your thoughts and hearts during this very difficult time.”
Captain McAllister received his engineering degree from the State University of New York Maritime College in 1956 and later earned his chief engineer’s license before changing careers to work as a deck officer. He served in the Korean War in the US Navy as a junior lieutenant and was an executive officer on the USS Lake County (LST 80), before receiving an honorary doctorate of science at his alma mater.
Captain McAllister was part of the fourth generation of McAllisters to lead the maritime business, which is now under fifth generation family ownership.
In 1974 Captain McAllister and other family members purchased the company from his predecessors, then went through a period of labor disputes in the 1980s and became company president in 1984. After taking over succession, McAllister helped to forge the company. expansion to many other Atlantic coast ports including Portland, Baltimore, Wilmington, Georgetown, Charleston, Jacksonville, Port Everglades and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1988 he became the sole owner of the company and oversaw the modernization of the fleet, including the introduction of z-drive tugs.
Captain McAllister was also a well-known philanthropist, supporting his alma mater SUNY Maritime with financial donations as well as ship support services for the college. He has also served as a board member of the South Street Seaport Museum, the Maritime Association of New York/New Jersey, the National Maritime Historical Society, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection. and Indemnity Association. McAllister was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame in 2015.
Today, five fifth-generation members of the McAllister McAllister Towing family business, carry on a 158-year legacy in one of the largest and oldest family-owned towing businesses in the country.
In his commencement address to the SUNY Maritime Class of 2017, Captain McAllister told graduates that the secret to his great success was a good education, a willingness to take on new challenges, and the chance to have many friends to help him seize the opportunity.
He encouraged graduates to say that some of their greatest assets would be their classmates and told them to “…keep the flag flying”.
For more information, see www.mcallistertowing.com and www.88844ferry.com.
