When a structural failure at the Demopolis Lock and Dam in Alabama brought barge traffic to a halt on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), R&D Maintenance, and J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) joined forces to deliver a fast, high-stakes solution. The breach—described by Colonel Jeremy Chapman of USACE as “a hole the size of a school bus”—stopped commercial navigation across two major waterways and threatened economic losses in the millions each month.

BURLINGTON, IOWA (March 11, 2025) – Brennan Marine, Inc. (BMI), a leading provider of harbor management and fleeting services, has expanded its presence on the Upper Mississippi River with the acquisition of Matteson Marine Service, Inc. assets. This strategic acquisition strengthens BMI’s capabilities along a key stretch of the waterway.

Milestone Achievement in Quality, Environmental, and Safety Standards

We are proud to announce that our corporate offices in North Kingstown, RI, and Ottawa, IL, have been officially certified under ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) Systems standards. This certification extension ensures that our customers nationwide will continue to experience the same exceptional service, quality, and craftsmanship synonymous with Brennan. It also marks a significant step forward in our growth into submarine cable, offshore wind, and renewable energy projects along the coast.

The Third Ward Milwaukee River remediation project is a pivotal step in cleaning up the Milwaukee River. It targets the site of a decommissioned manufactured gas plant that once operated in the area. 

A Collaborative Effort to Clean Milwaukee's River

Brennan was selected as the prime contractor for this ambitious project, tasked with dredging contaminated sediments and treating water to restore the river's health. Working closely with GEI Consultants, Inc. (GEI), the project’s design engineers, Brennan is delivering comprehensive solutions that combine environmental restoration, water treatment, and marine construction expertise.

The Port of Davisville, located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, has a rich history as a former Naval Air Station dating back to World War II. The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC), responsible for overseeing port operations, is undertaking a major project to rehabilitate Pier 1. Originally built during the 1940s, the pier has served its purpose for decades but now requires significant updates to support ongoing port activity.

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) was selected as the prime contractor for the project, tasked with carefully demolishing and reconstructing portions of the pier. “The overall objective is to allow the Port of Davisville to berth an additional car carrier on the south berth of Pier 1,” said Brennan Senior Project Manager Alex Baittinger. “The improvements we’re making will extend the life of this pier easily into the 2070s.”

J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) is proud to announce that it has been recertified as a Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the eighth consecutive year. 89% of employees affirm the company as a great workplace, a 2% increase from last year’s 87%, underscoring Brennan's commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture.

Over 80% of Brennan employees participated in the Great Place to Work third-party survey, providing valuable feedback highlighting the company’s ongoing dedication to its team. The survey revealed strong results across several key areas, including justice, corporate image, and camaraderie, which have been central to Brennan’s success.

With the president of a leading cruise line committing to going green, offering shore power became essential for places like Pier 66. The purpose? For cruise ships to switch off their engines while docking and use electricity instead, conserving fuel and reducing emissions. This change would lead to cleaner air for Seattle and other ports adopting the same practice.

Procuring a Power Source for Pier 66

Pier 66 lacked a power source at that time, so the Port of Seattle began procuring one. The solution involved laying submarine cable on the seabed alongside Seattle's shore, linking Pier 66 to renewable energy from Seattle City Light. Here's how we did it.

TAMPA, FL (June 26, 2024) — The Western Dredging Association (WEDA) has honored J.F. Brennan Company (Brennan) and GEI Consultants with a 2024 Safety Excellence Award for their work on the Third Ward Milwaukee River remediation project. GEI and Brennan accepted the award at WEDA’s Annual Dredging Summit and Expo in Tampa, Florida.

WEDA’s Safety Excellence Award recognizes individual organizations or project teams for exceptional safety performance and for exhibiting a proactive approach to raising safety awareness in the dredging workplace.

J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. (Brennan) overcame significant design challenges to complete a dredging project that involved hydraulically pumping slurry over a long distance of 10.4 miles. Brennan employees designed the dredging system and executed the entire project using Brennan-owned pipeline and equipment.