Dave Petrunia is a highly accomplished and respected figure in the commercial marine industry, boasting an impressive career spanning over five decades.

Starting at the young age of 12, Mr. Petrunia began his journey in the industry as a commercial fisherman, laying the foundation for his remarkable career.
In 1971, Mr. Petrunia joined North Arm Boat Works as a shipwright, where he specialized in building wooden seiners.

After honing his craft for five years, he moved on to Celtic Shipyards in 1976. During his 12-year tenure at Celtic Shipyards, Dave was appointed as shipwright foreman, taking charge of the maintenance of BC Packers' fishing fleet vessels ranging from 50 to 150 feet.

In 1988, Mr. Petrunia founded Target Marine, where he expanded his expertise in building aluminum and fiberglass gillnetters, refitting river tugs, and constructing small steel barges. Demonstrating his versatility, he also completely rebuilt a 37-foot gillnetter and returned to commercial fishing.

By 1998, Dave shifted his focus to building and refitting tugs on the river. In 2000, Riverside Towing contracted Mr. Petrunia to maintain their fleet of nine tugs, handling refits and repowers. This partnership continued through to 2019, with Amix contracting him to maintain their tug fleet.

In recent years, Dave has been working with Hodder Group, refitting and repairing their expanding fleet of tugs. Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Petrunia has achieved several notable milestones. Among these is the construction of the Nellie Irene for Forrest Marine, which boasted an impressive sea trial speed of 29.9 knots, powered by twin 892 TA engines with 600 horsepower per side. Another noteworthy accomplishment is his design and rebuilding of the small twin screw tug IronHorse, featuring a Ballard pull of 10,000 pounds, a 500-gallon fuel capacity, and a 5-foot draft, measuring 21 feet by 10 feet and weighing under 5 tons.

Dave Petrunia's extensive experience and unwavering dedication to his craft have earned him a distinguished reputation in the commercial marine industry. His passion for innovation and commitment to excellence continue to drive him forward, as he remains a vital force in the world of marine engineering and construction.