About Us
Professional Marine Services
Family-Owned
Ambush Workboats is a family-owned marine towage and logistics provider operating a wide range of marine support vessels from the shores of D’Entrecasteaux Channel in Southern Tasmania.
Our Team
Ambush Workboats is a family-owned and operated business built on a deep connection to the water and the place we call home.
Our team shares a genuine respect for the ocean and the work we do on it. Many of us have grown up on and around the waterways of Southern Tasmania, maintaining strong ties to the region and its maritime industries.
Our team of 16 highly skilled marine professionals forms the backbone of our operations, bringing extensive experience across aquaculture, commercial fishing, diving, offshore operations, engineering and marine services. This depth of experience allows us to approach every job with practical knowledge, sound judgement and the ability to adapt to changing conditions on the water.
At the heart of the business is Managing Director Nils Bush. Having grown up in Tasmania’s Channel region, Nils continues to live and work here with his family. His connection to the area, and to the ocean, is reflected in the way Ambush Workboats operates today: grounded, capable and built for the long term.
Ambush Workboats is led by Nils and Selina Bush alongside their three sons, Zac, Levi and Kai. It is a family business in every sense, shaped by shared values, a strong work ethic and a commitment to doing things properly. Supported by a highly capable team, these principles underpin everything we do and continue to guide the business every day.
Why Work With Us
Reliable Delivery
We do what we say we’ll do.
Experienced Crew
Practical knowledge of working on the water.
Safe Operations
Strong systems and compliance
across every job.
Easy to work with
Clear communication, no unnecessary complexity.
Built on Reliable Work and Long Term Relationships
Professional crews, reliable vessels and practical support for complex marine operations.
South Arm Pipeline Project
Batchelor Construction Group engaged Ambush Workboats to supply work boats for the installation of the South Arm Pipeline across the Derwent River. This is an 8.2 k/m, 250mm HDPE pipe from Blackmans Bay to South Arm that delivers Class A water from the new treatment plant to be used for recreation, agriculture and to provide a fire service to the South Arm Peninsula.
Ambush provided multiple work boats to deliver the 500m pipe strings from Margate Marina to site for sinking as well as a mother ship to house the dive crew and Batchelor Management. The pipe strings left Margate at 3.00am and then there was a crewed vessel left on station over night to hold the live end of the pipe.
During these works, and in the design phase, the service provided was nothing short of excellent. The professionalism of all of the crew, working at times in adverse conditions was exemplary. The reliability of all vessels was first class, and this was a major factor to the project being delivered on time, on budget and with zero incidents.
Batchelor Construction Group would not hesitate to recommend Ambush for all types of marine work and we look forward to our next project together.
Batchelor Construction Group
South Arm Pipeline Project
Commercial Dive Support
"We have nothing but great things to say about Nils and the team at Ambush. We often engage Ambush Workboats and barges to support our heavy marine salvage and commercial diving operations around Tasmania. The Ambush crew are skilled at vessel handling and the Ambush boats are always clean & tidy, well maintained and ready to go. The team often go above and beyond, jumping in to lend a helping hand to our own operations when we’re onboard. We often work in high-risk marine settings; the Ambush crew are always wearing appropriate safety gear and have all operating procedures and plans prepared. We truly appreciate the team at Ambush Workboats."
Total Dive Solutions
Commercial Diving
Offshore Towage
"The Tamar Yacht Club engaged Ambush workboats to tow our 40-metre attenuator barge from Kettering to Launceston during May of this year. Nils arranged the preparation of the barge for the tow without the need for outside assistance and the tow was completed on time and in budget. The tug Wandana proved to be very manoeuvrable and sufficiently powerful to complete the task with a minimum of fuss. The crew were very professional and safety conscious and were able to sort out a problem with this very old barge during the tow which saved the club considerable expense. We are happy to recommend Ambush workboats to future clients."
Our Marine Vessels
Built for versatility
Ready for the task
Ambush Workboats was established in 2006 with the purchase of our first vessel, Seahome. Originally an ex-fishing vessel, she was converted to support aquaculture operations in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
Since then, we’ve steadily grown our fleet to meet the demands of the industries we serve. Today, our fleet consists of 10 vessels, each selected and maintained to support a range of marine operations.
Our vessels are built for reliability, versatility and performance on the water, allowing us to respond to a wide variety of project requirements.
We continue to invest in our fleet to ensure we’re equipped to deliver safe, reliable and capable marine operations into the future.
Current Fleet
- Ambush
- Bush Ranger
- Ningaloo Spirit
- Wandana
- Brigand II
- Tubridgi K
- Silver Pearl
- Bush Basher
- Al Greaves
- Lego Barge
Our Capabilities
Extensive Knowledge
Skilled Crew
Proven Reliability
With over 20 years’ experience, Ambush Workboats support projects across aquaculture, marine towage, subsea installations, civil construction and salvage, locally, interstate and internationally.
We’re trusted by operators across the aquaculture and maritime industries because we understand the realities of working on the water. Our crew are experienced, capable and operate with a strong focus on safety and getting the job done properly.
We work across a wide range of marine environments, delivering consistent, reliable outcomes our clients can depend on.
Our fleet is built for versatility and performance, including purpose-built vessels, tugs, heavy-lift vessels, barges and dive support vessels.
Marine Towage & Logistics
Aquaculture
Support
Marine Construction & Civil Works
Dive Support
Services
Our Business Gives Back
Connected to the Water
Committed to the Community
Our connection to the ocean isn’t just professional — it’s personal.
We’ve grown up on these waterways, and we understand the responsibility that comes with working in them. That respect shapes how we operate, how we make decisions, and how we look after the environments we work in.
We take a considered approach to every project, balancing operational needs with environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability.
This is not just about the work we do today, but about maintaining the waterways and industries that support future generations.
As a family business, giving back to the community matters to us, and we’re proud to support important charities and organisations.
Organisations we support
The Leukaemia Foundation
Canteen Australia
Redkite
ABC Giving Tree Appeal
National Heart Foundation of Australia
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Southern Tasmania Kart Club
Launceston Kart Club
Cystic Fibrosis Tasmania
Camp Quality
Ponting Foundation
Strong Relationships
We build long term partnerships through consistent, reliable delivery, respect and trust.
Safety First Attitude
Safety is at the core of everything we do, on every job, every day.
Experienced
Team
Our crew bring the skills, knowledge and practical experience to get it done.
Local to
Global
Grounded in Tasmania, working wherever we’re needed.
Let's work together.
Have a project in mind or need reliable marine support?
We’re here to help.