Who We Are

WHO WE ARE

Our yard has delivered a diverse range of aluminum and steel work boats including:

Offshore supply vessels

Inland push boats

Ocean going tugs

Truckable Tugs

Ferries

Cargo Vessels

Deck barges

Tank barges

Self propelled barges

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In addition we provide vessel repair, maintenance, overhaul and conversion services.

We are located on the Southeast Coast with excellent access to all of the Mid Atlantic and New England as well as the Caribbean and Gulf Coast. Our facility sits on a beautiful, partially wooded site along the St. Johns River in Putnam County, Florida approximately 68 miles south of Jacksonville, Fla., at marker 31. The St. Johns River is easily accessible to the Intracoastal Waterway and open to the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville, Florida.

We offer a 850 ton dry dock, a crane capacity of 500 tons, 2,400 feet of water frontage with over 900 feet of bulkhead including a 400-ft launch basin, two rail launch systems, a 425-ft by 75-ft fabrication shop as well as complete carpentry, electrical and machine shops.

Contact our sales department for a quote on your next project: Sales@stjohns-ship.com

OUR TEAM

Joe Rella
President

Joe received his undergraduate degree in Marine Engineering from the US Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY and an MBA from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL. As President, he brings over four decades of commercial and US Navy maritime experience to St. Johns Shipbuilding. His impressive career accomplishments and extensive knowledge of the Jones Act and Military spaces make him an invaluable leader.

Jimmy Holston
Operations Manager

Jimmy is an adept U.S. Coast Guard Veteran with over 25 years of where he served as Director of Operations and Personnel, Training and Development Manager, and Project Management in leading maritime units to achieve excellence and cultivate teams from entry level to executives. He is accomplished in developing, planning, supporting and implementing organizational strategies and initiatives. Upon retirement from the Coast Guard 2021, Jimmy was employed as a Harbormaster and Lockmaster for Queen’s Harbour Yacht and Country Club.

Kenneth Gentle
Vice President of Repair

Ken has over 40 years of extensive marine repair expertise from managing specific repair projects to managing entire repair facilities. He has worked in and for shipyards on the East and West Coasts, including developing Far East and European specialty repair travel teams.

He has managed projects with various government agencies; MARAD, MSC, USCG, US Navy, Army Corps of Engineers, and Foreign Military Sales. In addition, having experience with commercial repair activities in Ferries, Cargo, and Towing vessels.

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