| 2021 | Quarter 2 | Issue One|
the voyager Newsletter
We are excited to bring you the first issue of Dupre Marine’s quarterly company newsletter! We promise it will be interesting, informative and fun!
CONTENTS
Message from Management
Employee Spotlight
Safety Topic
DMT Anniversaries
Company Updates
What’s Cookin in the Galley?!?
Quiz
“The most important thing is to try to inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will
”
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
“An infinity of excuses can always be found for non-action”
“The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible”
Influence
Message from Calvin Self
What kind of influence are you? All of us influence those around us. We have a direct impact on our family members, our friends, our co-workers, and even strangers. Some influences are passed along through the things we say, some are passed along through the advice we give, and some, I believe more importantly, are passed through our actions. How we conduct ourselves in the presence of others speaks volumes and has a lasting impact. Truthfully, we will never know just how far our actions reach or how long they affect others. The ripple effect could go on for an eternity.
When we stop someone from doing something unsafe or when we take the time to coach or train someone to do something the right way, it gets passed along and it could possibly save lives. Unfortunately, there is a flipside to that coin. When we allow unsafe acts to go uncorrected, when we don’t take the time to teach others the right way, or worse, when we knowingly pass along bad behavior, the consequences could be deadly.
At DMT it is shore managements duty to put the right persons on vessels and to provide them with all the tools for success. It might not be a person with the most experience. Many times, it’s a person with little experience that we believe has the right character. A person that we believe will one day make us a better company and pass along a legacy of safety. Just as important, it is a vessel employees’ duty to pass along the knowledge they have accumulated, ensure that person is trained and given the opportunity to work safely, and most importantly look out for each other’s safety. This is how you build a strong safety culture.
We cannot be the best without having a strong safety culture. We cannot have a strong safety culture without good character employees passing along safe work habits. Good character employees understand it’s not just about him or her. They understand it’s about their influence on others.
What kind of influence are you?
company updates
Wow, what a year the past year has been, but here we are as we start the second Quarter of 2021 with the industry taking a massive upturn! And this brings exciting times to Dupre Marine!
First, of course, is the addition of the brand new M/V Parker James, with Captain Jason Meek at the helm. We got the call for the Parker to go to work for Kirby and she was Christened a week later. If you haven’t taken a look at the video of the Christening, here it is above! If you are one of our new crew members, its a great introduction to our Dupre Marine Family. Also here is a snippet of Rory Dupre at the Christening explaining the little whirlwind 2020 caused for this new build:
Next, getting ready to add the 11th vessel to the fleet, the M/V Danielle C, which will be run by Jaimen Dupre (PAC Marine) working with the M/V Mary Dupre. So look out for more Dupre colors on the water!
Here are a few additional company updates:
The cargo uniform pants are no longer required as part of the vessel uniform. You are welcome to still wear them if you have them or appropriate jeans will be acceptable to wear also.
With all that happened in 2020, safety point distribution was temporarily suspended, but we will re-start the program at the end of the second quarter. All new crew members will begin to receive login information and how you get the points over the next couple months. Crew member points thereafter will be distributed quarterly based on safety and performance and you must be employed for that full previous quarter.
Steel toe boots are required footwear. All Dupre Marine crew members will get $100 towards new boots: all deck crew every 6 months and wheelhouse every year. Please get with April, Denise or Michael when you need to purchase new steel toe boots. We use Joe’s Boots in Houma, which we will payroll deduct the amount over $100 or you may purchase elsewhere and submit your receipt to April for a reimbursement up to $100. We are now tracking boot purchases. Deck crew this is an important part of your PPE, so please make sure your boots are in good shape always. Captains, please inspect the boots of your crew regularly. If you have any questions, please contact Frank.
Everyone must complete their Moxie Training: New hires must complete the Dupre Marine Initial Orientation within 5 days of your first hitch and new wheelhouse personnel must also complete Rose Point (in section 6) prior to boarding the vessel. Once the Initial Orientation is done, that is it for that part, the annual must be done by the end of the year and all others must be done within 6 months then they are good for 5 years. Please don’t wait on your training, Moxie has changed, when a section expires, you are non-compliant and it goes away and difficult for us to reinstate.
For those who are new or may not know, this website and our social media pages are filled with photos and videos sent in mostly by our crew members or Frank, Jeremy and other towboaters. If you have photos you want to share, please send them to Denise via text, email or dm on our Instagram or Facebook pages. If you haven’t done so, please check out all the amazing contributions on all our socials and this website.
If you have ANY changes to your address, personal info, marital/child status, banking info, please let Jamie know as soon as possible! You can call her during office hours or email her directly at jrobichaux@dupremarine.com. Please also know that any of these changes must come directly from the employee.
If any of our crew members would like to contribute content to future newsletters, please email Denise dmorencie@dupremarine.com
safety topic: man overboard
It is the goal of Dupre Marine Transportation that all employees work safe hitches and go home to their families after their hitch is completed.
There are many risks associated within this industry and all must maintain a Safety First attitude. Falling overboard is a serious event that could cost a person their life. At no time should employees neglect to follow rules, procedures and common sense as this the key to prevention.
Falling overboard presents the elevated risk for loss of life. Crewmembers should take every precaution to prevent falling overboard. It is easy to get started on a job and become so preoccupied with the task at hand that you lose focus on what is going on around you. Situational awareness is important to ensure your safety and prevent you from falling overboard.
Hold pre-critical task conferences; review JSA’s, plan ahead on every watch.
Stay away from the edge of the barge. Do not extend your torso over the water.
Maintain three (3) points of contact with the barge deck when checking draft marks.
Watch the “Bump”
Follow Dupre Marine’s Standard Operating Procedures.
Watch out for each other; Stop unsafe work activities
Keep one hand for yourself; the other hand for the boat.
Walk down the middle of the barge.
Use spike poles, heaving lines or smaller diameter rope
Stay under control when throwing lines; don’t throw yourself off the barge
Watch your step, DO NOT step into the bight of a line or wire rope.
Use flashlights and headlamps.
Wear a ball cap at night to shield the spotlight glare.
Keep boat and barge highlighting paint renewed and bright.
Wear proper boots.
Keep housekeeping standards high.
Coil and carry ropes properly.
Never jump into the river to “swim” a line ashore; use the skiff. Swimming off the boat or barge is prohibited.
Use ladders properly; inspect gangways carefully.
Where PFD’s with reflective tapes, carry a portable VHF radio.
Stay off the cell phone.
“I dare you to be great. I challenge you to be great in every single thing you do”
“Safety is a full-time job, don’t make it a part-time practice”
“Make each day your masterpiece”
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants”
“You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.”
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
featured employee: demarrius thomas
Its all about having a great attitude and work ethic. Demarrius Thomas approaches every hitch, every watch, with his best effort, ready for whatever is necessary and does it with a smile.
Demarrius comes to us from Mobile, Alabama and has been with Dupre Marine for 2 years. As a Tankerman trainee on the M/V Everard Dupre, he recently received his Tankerman’s license and ready for the next step in his career. Captain Tub, on the Everard, says De is an excellent guy and an excellent crew member. He always has a great attitude and never lets anything get him down.
Demarrius will go over and above, not just on the Everard, but on any of the boats he has graciously filled in on, always willing to help out when he can. All the captains really appreciate his hard work and awesome attitude, and that gratitude is extended through Shoreside as well. He has a passion for his work and working safely that is recognized by everyone at Dupre Marine; he defines our company culture. Thank you Demarrius!
What’s cookin’ in the galley with paco?!
Tankerman Laird Rodrigue aka Paco is always cooking up something delicious on the M/V Kathleen Dupre, so he shared his recipe for his pork roast. Pretty sure Captain Chad Verdin and crew tore it up that day! Give it a try and let us know how it turned out!
paco’s pork roast
You will need:
1 - 5 lb Pork Roast
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Orange Bell Pepper
2 Celery Sticks
1 or 2 Sweet Onions
Garlic Cloves (optional)
Season-All or Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
Worcestershire Sauce
And a little water
This is what he does:
Preheat the oven 350-400 degrees. Put roast in a decent sized pot so you have room on all sides. Cut slices in the roast about halfway through (cut sideways into the roast not long ways on the roast). Cut up bell peppers, celery and onions, not small pieces. Stuff cut up peppers, celery and onion into the slices you put in the roast then around the outside of the roast in the pot. Season to your liking. Put a little Worcestershire Sauce in the slices and around the roast. Add about an inch of water in the pot. Cover and put in preheated over and bake for 2 hours.
Remove roast from the oven and cut your slices all the way through and spread them out. Cover and return to the over for an additional 1.5 to 2 hours for tenderness. Remove from the oven and enjoy!
quiz!
Just for fun! (no googling!)
DUPRE MARINE’S ANNIVERSARIES for 2021 First and Second Quarter
April Granger: January 1st, 1 Year
David J Verdin: January 5th, 6 Years
Don Rodrigue: January 31st, 1 Year
Cleve Vincent: March 3rd, 1 Year
Jeremy Cavalier: March 18th, 8 Years
Denise Morencie: April 1st, 3 Years
Phillip Thompson: May 1st, 2 Years
Seth Helmer: May 1st, 2 Years
Dennis Parks: May 13th, 7 Years
Kevin Daigrepont: May 14th, 8 Years
Jaimen Dupre: May 19th, 11 Years
Saige Robinson: May 20th, 1 Year
Demarrius Thomas: May 23rd, 2 Years
Jamie Robichaux: June 10th, 13 Years
Brian Ward: June 19th, 1 Year
Tristin Verdin: June 18th, 3 Years
A special family photo on the m/v Evin Dupre!
The Evin’s Captain David Verdin had his dad, Captain Cherry Verdin come ride one last hitch with him before he officially retires his Captain’s license. Also Captain Cherry is able to spend this hitch with his grandson, Brennan Verdin (David’s nephew). 3 generations on the boat! We are so happy they could spend this time together!
it’s almost that time again! The summer heat is on the way! prepare to beat the heat
SAFETY MEASURE:
Learn the Signs of heat stress
Drink Plenty of Water
Take Frequent Breaks
Be aware of heat factors
STAY HYDRATED:
You should drink 3-4 cups of water every hour include electrolytes
SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS:
Confusion
Nausea
Headache
Weak Pulse
Increased Body Temperature
Fainting
Vomiting
BREAKS:
Should be taken in the shade
5 plus minutes to prevent overheating
10 plus minutes if experiencing heat symptoms (Let the On Watch Wheelman know!)
FOUR HEAT FACTORS
Temperature
Humidity
Radiant Heat
Air Velocity
⚠️ Always be ready to work wearing the proper PPE and wearing it correctly! Your PPE will NOT protect you if it is not the correct type, is damaged or worn and if is not on correctly and adjusted properly!
⚠️ Be responsible and know what PPE is required to use in your particular work situation Check yourself and ask yourself if you have on what is needed and required to be safe for that job
⚠️ If you have any questions concerning your PPE, please contact Port Captain Frank Bumgarden