About Us – A Miami River Family

In 1992, demand for skilled, affordable tug assist services from the many Caribbean shipping lines calling the Miami River increased significantly. To meet this need, Capt. Herbert “Beau” Payne and his friend, Pat Lewis, decided to go into business. Beau’s mother-in-law and third shareholder, Anneliese Suffin, facilitated the purchase of their first tug, the “Cassia Leigh.” In 1993, P & L Towing and Transportation, Inc. commenced operations and quickly became a steward of the Miami River waterfront. 

With Capt. Beau at the helm, the company thrived due to his integrity, tenacity, and leadership, growing in capability and offering additional marine towing services to large scale dredging and marine construction companies with projects all across the US seaboard.

Capt. Beau’s love for challenges drew him into the marine salvage and commercial diving industry. Coupling his ingenuity with his marine towing assets, he founded Associated Marine Salvage, Inc. (AMSI) in 2002. Through AMSI, the P & L Towing fleet gained expertise in more complex towing projects. Beau’s customers now have a reliable Miami-based solution to their ship salvage, emergency response, and environmental recovery needs. 

Tragically, Capt. Beau’s family, friends and employees suffered his unforeseen passing in the Spring of 2017. Pushing through tremendous heartbreak to overcome an organizational crisis, his wife, Heidi Payne, and his children, Rikki and Oliver, made the decision to carry-on in the wake of his loss and continue his legacy as a driven, dependable industry leader and entrepreneur.

Today, the company continues to thrive as a proudly Floridian, US Flagged Jones Act marine towing company and Certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) with a focus on Ingenuity, Responsiveness and Integrity, with Capt. Beau forever in mind.