Major Vessel Upgrade with California Air Quality Funding
The Islander Achieves Tier 3 Compliance with 820HP Repower, Enhancing Capabilities for Defense and Energy Sectors.
COSTA MESA, CA – [August, 2025] – Coast Maritime announced today the successful completion of a comprehensive repower and modernization project for The Islander, their 42-foot crew transfer vessel. The project, funded through the California Air Quality Management District's (AQMD) Carl Moyer Program, upgrades the vessel to Tier 3 emissions compliance while significantly enhancing performance capabilities for the company's defense, energy, and marine construction clients.
The complete repower increases The Islander's power output to 820 horsepower, enabling a cruising speed of 18 knots and maximum speed of 21 knots. The upgraded performance positions Coast Maritime to better serve California's rapidly expanding offshore wind sector and demanding defense technology operations.
"This repower represents a major investment in Coast Maritime's capability to serve California's evolving maritime needs," said Doug Misterly, Coast Maritime's founder. "The Tier 3 compliance ensures we can operate in California's most environmentally sensitive areas, while the enhanced performance allows us to support more demanding missions for our defense and energy sector clients."
Environmental Leadership Through Technology
The repower project centers on new Tier 3 Cummins QSL9 main engines that meet California's stringent emissions standards. This environmental upgrade positions The Islander among very few vessels in her class operating in Southern California with full Tier 3 compliance—a critical requirement for supporting projects in environmentally sensitive areas and government contracts.
"Environmental compliance isn't just about meeting regulations," explained Evan Wanamaker, Coast Maritime co-founder and licensed captain. "It's about demonstrating our commitment to protecting California's marine environment while providing the professional services our clients require."
The California AQMD Carl Moyer Program funding recognizes Coast Maritime's commitment to environmental stewardship and acknowledges the broader benefits of upgrading commercial vessels to cleaner emissions standards. The program provides incentive funding for equipment upgrades that achieve emissions reductions beyond regulatory requirements.
Industry Partnership Excellence
The repower project was completed at All Purpose Marine Diesel's facility in Fish Harbor, Los Angeles, with engineering support provided by Crucible Engineering of Seattle, Washington. Marine Engine Systems of Wilmington, California supplied the new engines and handled gear removal and refurbishment.
Labor and fabrication were jointly provided by All Purpose Marine Diesel and Coast Maritime's own team, demonstrating the hands-on approach that defines the company's operations. This collaborative effort ensured the project met Coast Maritime's exacting standards while maintaining the vessel's certification requirements.
"Working with established industry partners like APMD, Marine Engine Systems, and Crucible Engineering ensures that The Islander meets the reliability standards our clients expect," noted Michael Paukert, Coast Maritime co-founder. "This project shows how the right partnerships can deliver results that exceed expectations."
Enhanced Capabilities for Growing Markets
The upgraded The Islander is optimized to support California's expanding offshore wind development, defense technology testing, and marine construction projects. The vessel's enhanced speed and power capabilities, combined with her existing U.S. Coast Guard certification to carry 22 passengers up to 20 nautical miles offshore, position Coast Maritime to serve the most demanding client requirements.
Cameron Newett, Coast Maritime co-founder and shipyard operations expert, emphasized the strategic importance of the upgrade: "California's offshore wind development and defense technology sectors require marine support partners who can respond quickly and operate reliably in challenging conditions. This repower ensures The Islander can meet those demanding requirements."
The vessel's Tier 3 compliance also positions Coast Maritime to support government contracts and environmentally sensitive projects that require the highest emissions standards. This capability is increasingly important as California's environmental regulations continue to evolve and defense sector clients emphasize environmental responsibility.
Investment in California's Maritime Future
The successful repower project reflects Coast Maritime's commitment to investing in capabilities that serve California's maritime industry growth. As offshore wind development accelerates and defense technology requirements become more sophisticated, the need for professional marine support services with advanced environmental compliance continues to expand.
"This investment demonstrates our confidence in California's maritime future," said Delana Paukert, Coast Maritime co-founder and financial operations leader. "The combination of enhanced performance, environmental compliance, and proven reliability positions Coast Maritime to serve the growing demand for professional marine support services."
The project also showcases Coast Maritime's approach to strategic partnerships within California's maritime industry. By working with established suppliers and service providers, the company demonstrates its integration into the broader marine industry ecosystem that supports vessel operations throughout the region.
Ready for Service Across Multiple Sectors
With the repower complete, The Islander is immediately available for charter services supporting marine construction, offshore wind development, defense technology testing, and specialized transport operations. The vessel's enhanced capabilities expand Coast Maritime's ability to serve clients requiring rapid response, extended range operations, and environmental compliance.
Recent successful missions have included supporting classified UAV testing operations, complex equipment relocations where other contractors failed, and community conservation projects. The upgraded vessel capabilities will enable Coast Maritime to expand these service offerings while maintaining the reliability and professional standards that define their operations.
"The Islander is ready to support whatever mission our clients require," concluded Doug Misterly. "Whether it's supporting offshore wind construction, defense technology development, or marine construction projects, we now have the performance and environmental compliance to handle the most demanding requirements."
About Coast Maritime
Founded in 2024, Coast Maritime provides professional crew transfer and marine support services for defense, energy, and marine construction operations throughout Southern California. The company operates The Islander, a 42-foot vessel certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry 22 passengers up to 20 nautical miles offshore. Coast Maritime's founding team brings decades of combined experience in commercial maritime operations, shipyard management, aviation technical systems, and business operations.
The company specializes in supporting complex missions requiring professional maritime expertise, including classified defense operations, offshore energy project support, and marine construction logistics. Coast Maritime is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California.
Contact Information:
Evan Wanamaker
Captain and Co-Founder
Coast Maritime
Phone: (949) 278-7310
Email: evan@coastmaritime.net
Website: www.coastmaritime.net