Est. 1944
History & Heritage
From a wartime workhorse to a living piece of maritime history moored in Port Alberni, BC.
A Rare Survivor
Only four Miki-class wooden tugboats from the original fleet of 61 are known to still be afloat. Ku'ulakai — LT-465 — is the only one in Canada.
Read about the Miki-class program on WikipediaHer Story, Chapter by Chapter
United States Army
Born for War
Laid down as LT-465, a wooden-hulled Design 293-A Army tug, at Northeastern Shipbuilding in Quincy, Massachusetts, she was built to serve the United States Army during the final years of World War II.
Deployed along U.S. East Coast ports, she was part of a fleet of 61 Miki-class tugs purpose-built to support the war effort — moving barges, supplies, and vessels through busy wartime harbours.
Miki-class wooden tug · Hull designation LT-465 · Built at Northeastern Shipbuilding, Quincy, MA
U.S. Army Transportation Corps historyMobile Wrecking & Towing Co.
Into Civilian Hands
Decommissioned after the war, she was sold into civilian service with Mobile Wrecking & Towing Co. in Alabama, where she was renamed the Ernest F. Ladd.
Working the Gulf Coast, she traded the urgency of wartime for the steady grind of commercial towing — her sturdy wooden hull proving as capable in peacetime as it had been in war.
Renamed Ernest F. Ladd · Commercial towing, Gulf Coast, Alabama
Young & Gore Ltd. / Island Tug & Barge Ltd.
Coming to the Pacific Northwest
Acquired by Young & Gore Ltd. and later Island Tug & Barge Ltd. of Vancouver, BC, she was reflagged to Canada and renamed the Lloyd B. Gore — beginning two decades of hard commercial towing along the rugged Pacific Northwest coast.
She worked the waters of British Columbia through some of the most demanding towing conditions on the continent — log booms, barges, and salvage work in the channels and inlets of the BC coast.
Renamed Lloyd B. Gore · Reflagged to Canada · Pacific Northwest commercial towing
Island Tug & Barge — BC Maritime historyPrivate Owners
A Colourful Chapter
Passing through a series of private hands over two decades, her most dramatic chapter came in 1988 when, the vessel was arrested and impounded by the Canadian Government.
She had been caught smuggling 22 tonnes of marijuana from Thailand to the Queen Charlotte Islands — a story that made headlines and cemented her reputation as a vessel with a life far larger than most.
1988 — Arrested by Canadian Government · 22 tonnes seized · Queen Charlotte Islands
KU'ULAKAI - new owners 2026
A New Chapter Begins
This newest chapter in history is being written by her new owners who want to share this historic beauty with guests and offer unique historic accommodations in Port Alberni.
In the heart of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, Ku'ulakai is being lovingly restored — not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing vessel that welcomes guests aboard to experience her story firsthand.
Currently Moored in Port Alberni, BC
Recently Refurbished at Point Hope Shipyard"Built in 1944. Still making history."
Further Reading
Explore the historical context behind Ku'ulakai's story — from wartime shipbuilding to Pacific Northwest maritime heritage.
Miki-class tugboats — U.S. Army WWII fleet
Wikipedia entry on the 61-vessel Miki-class program, including design specs and surviving vessels.
U.S. Army Transportation Corps — WWII watercraft
Official U.S. Army history of Transportation Corps watercraft operations during World War II.
BC Maritime Museum — tugboat heritage
The BC Maritime Museum in Victoria preserves the history of Pacific Northwest commercial shipping and towing.
Steveston Harbour Authority
Historic fishing harbour in Richmond, BC — where Ku'ulakai was moored for over three decades.
Port Alberni — Harbour Quay & waterfront
Ku'ulakai's current home — the historic Harbour Quay in Port Alberni, Vancouver Island.
Ku'ulakai — Hawaiian god of fishermen
The Hawaiian deity of fishermen and the sea, for whom the vessel was named during her 1991 restoration.
Come Aboard
Register your interest to be among the first to experience Ku'ulakai as a guest.