The VanEnkevort family has been operating conventional tug/barges since 1967 beginning with a stone quarry business in Ohio, leading to the purchase and operation of the Tug Olive L. Moore. In 1979, we purchased our first self-unloading vessel, the S/S Buckeye. We converted it to a barge and pushed/towed in a conventional manner until vessel retirement in 1990.
In 1990, we purchased the Joseph H. Thompson at a reduced price because sailing the steam-operated straight-decker wasn’t economically feasible on the Great Lakes. Due to high shipyard conversion costs, we decided to perform the work ourselves. The ship was converted to an articulated tug/barge with self-unloading capacity. At this time we looked at the various connection systems available. After reviewing the different systems offered and finding them lacking in many features, we decided to develop, design and install our own system. This unit has been in operation for 10 years now and has not yet had to break out of the notch and tow on a hawser. Although this first connector’s performance has exceeded our expectations, as operators/owners we have made many improvements in technical design, operational ease, safety, and maintenance. APMP can show you how Hydraconn will save your company money on repair and maintenance costs for many years.

We are proud of this project conceived, designed and completed in-house. Prior to this, conveyor systems of all self-unloading vessels on the Great Lakes were electrically powered. The Joseph H. Thompson’s conveyor system was the first to be hydraulically driven. This has proven to have many economic and operational advantages.

In 1993, we acquired the self-unloading S/S McKee Sons that had been idle for 11 years due to high operation costs. We completed the ATB conversion and operated satisfactorily for 3 years. In 1996, due to slow unloading rates and high labor and maintenance costs, we replaced the existing obsolete unloading equipment with a new hydraulically driven squeeze belt system. This project was completed in 4 months’ time and has greatly increased vessel efficiency.

In 1997 APMP installed a Hydraconn connector on the tug Undaunted for Lake Michigan Car Ferry Company. In 1998 we installed a Hydraconn unit on our new 10,000 H.P. twin screw tug Joyce L. VanEnkevort. In 1999 we installed Hydraconn on the 7200 H.P. twin z-drive tug Dorothy Ann. Our last installation was on the 8000 H.P. twin screw tug Jane Ann IV. Click Here To View our Hydraconn Slide Show
Hydraconn, our ATB coupler system, was developed over these years of operating and engineering experience. We think our knowledge and expertise in marine hydraulic applications has enabled us to build what we consider to be one of the safest, most efficient and reliable coupler systems available today.

Several client testimonials are available on this website.

To speak with me or any of our captains, engineers and technical agents, please contact APMP directly.
Dirk VanEnkevort
President & Director of Product Development
All Purpose Marine Products