At just 19 feet long, an adorable little tugboat is making waves on social media, with many calling it the “smallest ship in the U.S. Navy.”
Built by Chuck’s Boat and Drive in Longview, Washington, this tiny vessel is officially known as the “Boomin Beaver” security tug. Originally designed for herding logs in waterways, the Navy has repurposed it as an all-purpose vessel capable of towing small ships and deploying floating security fences. This ensures that larger submarines, destroyers, and even aircraft carriers remain free from unwanted visitors.
The tugboat first gained attention on Reddit, where users marveled at its role in harbor security. According to one Redditor, “It’s a security tug. Those protective barriers surrounding the water portion of the navy base don’t move themselves. It’s the equivalent of opening the gate for cattle to go in and out. Unlock it, unlatch it, swing it open, and close it when the ship has passed.”
Indeed, Boomin Beavers are spotted on Google Maps at the USS Constitution Museum in Boston. There, the boat operates the floating barrier surrounding the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy. Similar tugs are visible at several naval bases across the U.S., including Naval Base Kitsap Bangor and Naval Base San Diego.
These tiny boats are stationed near floating security nets, identified in imagery as lines of connected buoys. These nets provide a visible security cordon—a “do not cross” line—that keeps local shipping away from billion-dollar warships. You can also find similar tugs at Norfolk Naval Station and Kings Bay, Georgia.
In 2006, one of these mini-tugs was auctioned by the government. The listing described it as 19 feet long, 10 feet wide, with a 5-foot draft. Powered by a Cummins 6BTA5.9 diesel engine rated at 260 hp and equipped with a ZF marine transmission, it fetched a surprising highest bid of $100,025—a hefty sum for such a small vessel.
But then again, nothing is cheap when it comes to Navy ships.
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