Photo: Glacier Media

There’s been a changing of the guard at Seaspan Shipyards.

John McCarthy, chief program officer for the shipyard company for the past four years, is the new CEO and president.

McCarthy replaces former shipyards CEO Mark Lamarre, who is taking over as president and CEO of The Washington Companies, the parent company of both the shipyards, Seaspan’s marine barge and tugboat division and several rail, mining and construction companies based in the US

The Washington Companies announced the change on Tuesday (Sept. 20), following the retirement of the parent company’s previous CEO.

Lamarre took over the top job at Seaspan Shipyards in 2018 during a time the shipyard started work on a multibillion-dollar federal contract to build two massive navy support ships as well as work on Coast Guard vessels, including building through the pandemic.

As chief program officer of Seaspan Shipyards, McCarthy has spent the past four years overseeing construction under the national shipbuilding strategy, according to a release from the company. He brings more than 36 years of experience in shipbuilding and repair and experience as a senior leader at American and international shipyards to the job, according to the shipyard.

McCarthy steps into the role as work at both Vancouver Shipyards and Vancouver Drydock in North Vancouver has halted for two weeks after 1,000 workers refused to cross picket lines of striking tugboat workers.

The company has asked the courts and the Labor Relations Board to have the pickets moved.