A protective bumper structure for the exterior surface of tugboats or towboats. The protective bumper includes a backing member for supporting the bumper to the boat, a resilient cushion layer supported on the backing member and a protective face supported on the resilient cushion. The protective face is formed of a durable low friction material and is provided in the form of plural segments, such as spaced elongated strips extending along the length of the resilient cushion. The protective face provides an engagement surface for engaging a cooperating surface on a barge.