| 2022 | Quarter 3 | Issue FIVE |
the voyager Newsletter
Welcome to 2022’s Second & Third Quarter issue of Dupre Marine’s quarterly newsletter!
CONTENTS
Calvin’s Corner
Employee Spotlights
Safety Topics
DMT Anniversaries
Company News & Updates
From the Crew
What’s Cookin’ in the Galley?
Just for Fun!
Best Photos
CALVIN’S CORNER
A message from Calvin Self
the phone call
If you get hurt or worse at work, what is the name of the person at your home that will receive this news?
I was asked this question several years ago in a meeting in Houston and it has stuck with me since. It made me imagine my wife, Patricia, answering the phone and the person on the other end explaining that I would not be coming home because I was in an accident at work. I cannot fathom a worse scenario for my family. It honestly gives me chills to think about her reaction and my daughter’s reaction when my wife shares the news with her. I work in an office and on many of my days the most dangerous thing I do is drive to and from work. A pretty safe day for the most part. But you, our crews, are in dangerous situations almost daily. The very nature of your job is dangerous. We have all heard the horror stories of family members of mariners that have received that call. We put policies, procedures, rules, regulations etc., in place to prevent the worst from happening. We have drills to simulate emergencies to prepare you for situations, but your best defense against an injury is you. We can have the best procedures and our vessels can have the most thorough drills with the most realistic scenarios, but at the end of the day, it’s you. You must take your and your crew mates’ safety seriously. You must always be vigilant when assessing risks. You must be aware of your surroundings. You are responsible for your own personal safety. You must care.
For most of us, we do what we do to provide for the people we love. When we take risks, it is not only our lives we are taking a chance with, but also theirs. If something happens to you, their life will be forever changed. Some may never fully recover. They deserve better. They deserve the best that you can offer.
If you are not the type of person that takes your personal safety seriously, DMT is not the right place for you. I do not want to be forced to make that phone call. If you are, you have a career here. You can have a positive effect on our culture and make a difference here.
I ask you, what is the name of the person that will take the phone call when something bad happens to you at work?
Rory’s favorite quote:
“Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.” ~vINCE LOMBARDI
Photo from M/V Lou Nataro at Orange Cut
Cooking in the Galley with: Mike serdinsky
My mouth was watering as Mike was giving me this recipe for Stuffed Cornish Hens over the phone. He makes this for the crew on the M/V Jerry Porche at least twice during his hitch. Along with all his other home-cooked meals on the boat, they are eating RIGHT!
This is one of Captain Jade’s favorite meals along with steak night of course. Mike also often offers up cooked-to-order breakfasts and looks out for the dietary needs for Captain Gary.
Although he didn’t have measuring specifics for this recipe, he said it can be prepared easily for crew dinner.
One Cornish Hen per person
Mix chopped bell pepper, celery and garlic
Use 2 links of boudin, remove the casings and mix with the above vegetables then stuff the Cornish Hens
DRY RUB: Smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, parsley and Knorr’s Chicken powder. Mix all together
Rub Cornish Hens with olive oil then dry rub seasoning
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F
In a deep baking dish place sliced red potatoes, white onion, celery and carrots on the bottom of the dish and place the Cornish Hens on top
Bake in the oven at 275 degrees F for 4 hours
Optional: use the broth to make gravy with cornstarch
Mikes favorite sides to make is smothered cabbage (pictured above) or Red Beans & Rice
Captain Leo brunet on the m/V Alva Dupre
is always cooking up some delicious Louisiana meals from RED BEANS AND RICE to SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS and everything in between! The crew knows they will be full and happy when Captain Leo is on the boat!
dmt word search puzzle
JUST FOR FUN!
Words go in all directions. Click on the button below or the puzzle itself to do the puzzle. Just hold down the cursor or your finger. The puzzle is printable when you are directed to the site. Enjoy!
Favorite social media scenic photo
This is the favorite scenic photo on Instagram from Captain Sidney Verdin on the M/V Orange as they were coming through New Orleans a few months ago.
SAFETY PHOTOS SUBMITTED THIS QUARTER!
PPE is Key! These photos for social media representing working safely were submitted from the M/V Jerry Porche, M/V Lou Nataro, M/V Orange and M/V Parker James.
Zane Walley on the Jerry busting rust with the needle gun
Andy Simpson on the Lou harnessed up to clean the boat
Spencer Riney on the Orange painting the boat
Saige Robinson and Emmett Simpson on the Parker James picking up rigging
wheelhouse spotlight:
Captain Brad Autin
Captain Brad Autin on M/V Lou Nataro
Probably the most likeable person in the fleet, Captain Brad Autin, aka Pishu, has been with Dupre Marine for several years, working hard for his family here in Houma. Just seeing him react to his baby girl, you just know why he works so hard. And he always does it with a smile!
Having had the M/V Mary Dupre in great shape with his crew, Captain Brad bounced back quickly after the loss of the Mary and has been determined to convert the M/V Lou Nataro to a Dupre Marine vessel in no time with a strong hand chosen crew to support him. He will say it’s a team effort, but it comes from a great leader with a great attitude! Brad is the epitome of safety culture and Dupre Marine culture. He knows what it takes! We expect no less from Captain Brad in the years to come at Dupre Marine, because that is just the way is works.
deck crew spotlight:
jeremy scholz
Jeremy Scholz on M/V Jerry Porche
We always talk about culture and Jeremy Scholz defines that on the M/V Jerry Porche. Jeremy no doubt has a huge influence on the entire crew as the Lead Mate. Just take one look at the Jerry and you can see what it means to have a good leader on the boat! He takes pride in their boat and has passion for his work. A hard working man for Dupre Marine since 2019 and now he is working his way up to the wheelhouse, getting in his stick time whenever he can and we look forward to that day he takes a permanent seat in that DMT Captain’s chair.
Captain Jade O’Neal says Jeremy is The #1 Guy and respected and well-liked by the whole crew! He is a great team leader! Relief Mate, Mike Serdinsky says Jeremy is a quiet great leader, family man and friend. In fact, Mike took the photo to get it to us and said “Mike if that ends up on the Dupre Facebook, our friendship is over” LOL, don’t blame him Jeremy!
We look forward to Jeremy’s career growth to the wheelhouse at Dupre Marine. Great things to come!
safety topic: LINE OF FIRE
By Calvin Self
Staying out of the line of fire goes a long way in ensuring your safety. I know I say this all of the time but I will continue to do so. Job #1 is to ensure everyone goes home safe. If everyone does their part ZERO injuries and incidents is achievable.
It is your responsibility to ensure you and everyone you are around conducts their jobs with a safety first mindset. If someone is in the line of fire, say something.
A simple definition of Line of Fire is being in “harm's way”. Line of fire injuries occur when the path of a moving object intersects with a person's body. This is why it’s vitally important to always be aware of your surroundings and ask yourself, "Am I in the line of fire?"
Three major categories of line of fire incidents occur when someone:
1. Gets caught-in or between (Think of being caught between tow wire, head lines, etc.)
2. Struck-by (think of a suspended skiff during crane operations)
3. Unexpected result of released energy (Think of a mooring line snapping)
Knowing the Dangers:
Synthetic line snap back is a dangerous and sometimes deadly occurrence. Crew members have been seriously injured, and yes, some even killed.
The most effective solution for synthetic line safety is for crew members to be aware of dangers involved working in the line of fire, and to use proper line handling and other procedures to avoid injury from snap back.
Easing out and checking lines - Exercise extreme care when easing out (relaxing strain) or checking lines, allowing only enough line to render around the fitting to prevent a line from parting. Because of their rapid recovery, low coefficient of friction, and because lines may extend under heavy loads, they may slip suddenly on easing out or checking, thereby causing injury to line handlers. For control in easing out, take no more than two round turns on a cleat or bit.
Checking a line under strain, take two round turns followed by no more than two figure-eight bends. Because figure-eight bends tend to lock up and surge unexpectedly, the use of figure-eights in easing out, or more than two figure-eights in checking, will present a danger to personnel and cause extreme difficulty in handling lines.
When a line parts under tension, never allow personnel to stand in the direct line of pull of any line when it is being pulled or when under tension. A synthetic line parting under tension will snap back at nearly the speed of sound and reaction time to clear the area will not be available.
Where possible, position line handlers 90° from the direction of the tension force and outside the Arc Line of Fire as illustrated on page 2.
Crew members should determine all gear and fittings used with synthetic fiber line to ensure strength exceeds minimum breaking strength of the line. Synthetic line has higher breaking strengths than manila. Failures of blocks, pad eyes, shackles and line couplings can be caused by improper substitutions.
Synthetic line has poor knot-holding characteristics. Some knots that offer good characteristics for securing manila line, such as the square knot, are not adequate for securing synthetic line. The bowline is one knot known to offer reasonable security when securing synthetic line. Especially on double skin barges working alongside the trunk, use extra caution in preventing lines from binding. Keep an escape route always open.
Remember, always look out for yourself and each other!
⚠️
It is the goal of Dupre Marine that all employees work safe hitches and go home to their families after their hitch is completed
SUBMITTING A NEAR MISS OR STOP WORK RESPONSIBILITY
Did you know if you have the BEST High Learning Value Near Miss and/or Stop Work Responsibility (SWR) submission, you can earn extra Safety Reward points. We often have a couple crew members receive over 175 Safety Reward points!
Submit as often as possible in HELM!
PUMP UP THOSE NUMBERS!
〰️
PUMP UP THOSE NUMBERS! 〰️
Here are a few recent examples:
near misses
FROM M/V MEGAN E DUPRE HIGH LEARNING VALUE NEAR MISS:
While tying off the tow to mooring buoy, a crew member walked out on the buoy before I could stop him. I made him step back on the barge as soon as possible and explained the dangers of going overboard and to never do it again.
FROM M/V PARKER JAMES
M/V (Name withheld) was transiting through the bridge. He had a sailboat under power going into the bridge with him and wasn’t familiar with meeting arrangements. Had to be told several times one whistle, while he was trying to meet on two whistle. He finally listened and did the one.
stop work responsibility
JOSH PETROFF ON THE M/V REX DOBSON:
We were given orders by the (CUSTOMER) to put both barges on the bank and commence a barge to barge transfer without any way to regulate vapors and without and supervisors for a transfer we have never done. I utilized Stop Work Authority and contacted Port Captain Frank. He made some calls and later got back to me with a solution that he and the customer came up with to safely commence a barge to barge transfer. These safety mitigations included using the fleet for a secure way to hold our barges. A supervisor, who is experienced in barge to barge transfer that will direct our tankerman throughout transfer and a way to safely regulate all vapors. All safety mitigations were considered.
DEMARRIUS THOMAS ON THE M/V EVERARD DUPRE
We picked up a tow that was being discharged from the M/V (name withheld). During the barge pick up inspection I noticed an oil leak from the pto shaft seal on the pump head. The transfer was shut down so we notified customer dispatch, their Port Captain and Port Captain Frank, barge M&R was notified and they sent out a mechanic to assess the situation. Once the mechanic looked and determined it was safe to proceed with the transfer, all parties involved where notified and the transfer was resumed. The previous tankerman was just allowing the oil to run down the pump and onto the deck and the barge was also covered in trash. SWR is a great tool when utilized properly.
CAPTAIN SIDNEY VERDIN ON THE M/V ORANGE:
We were at (dock) with (2 barges). I went out there to get sometimes from the Shore Tankerman and noticed their skin and face was very red. I could tell they needed to cool down, so I told them to come inside and cool off.
Remember to submit your Near Misses and Stop Work Responsibilities in Helm regularly. They are not only strong safety learning tools, but also recognized in the charter group and rewarded from Kirby Inland Marine. An important recognition.
S T R E T C H!
Getting in the habit of stretching before/after your watch, especially the deck crew, can help with mobility, flexibility, inflammation and can help prevent some injuries!
DUPRE MARINE’S ANNIVERSARIES for 2022 2nd & 3rd Quarters
AS OF APRIL 2022:
Denise Morencie ~ 4 Years
Arthur Bartholomew ~ 1 Year
Glynn Matherne ~ 1 Year
Alex Landry ~ 1 Year
AS OF MAY 2022:
Seth Helmer ~ 3 Years
Trent Stoute ~ 1 Year
Kevin Daigrepont ~ 9 Years
Jaimen Dupre ~ 12 Years
Demarrius Thomas ~ 3 Years
Saige Robinson ~ 2 Years
Josh Petroff ~ 1 Year
Ben Dupre ~ 1 Year
AS OF JUNE 2022:
Victor Rome ~ 1 Year
Larry Dupre ~ 1 Year
Jamie Robichaux ~ 14 Years
Tristin Verdin ~ 4 Years
Matt Gisclair ~ 1 Year
AS OF JULY 2022:
Derrick Jarman ~ 1 Year
Jade O’Neal ~ 3 Years
Sidney Verdin ~ 8 Years
Mike Serdinsky ~ 1 Year
Calvin Self ~ 9 Years
Joe Grizzard ~ 1 Year
AS OF AUGUST 2022:
Michael Ortego ~ 7 Years
Chad Verdin ~ 8 Years
Jeff Verdin ~ 8 Years
Frank Bumgarden ~ 3 Years
Tyler Constant ~ 1 Year
Jeremy Scholz ~ 3 Years
Brett Verdin ~ 3 Years
AS OF SEPTEMBER 2022:
Alva Dupre ~ 19 Years
James Davis ~ 7 Years
Robert Conklin ~ 1 Year
Jason McCranie ~ 1 Year
Robert Stacner ~ 8 Years
company news & updates
Whew! So much has been going on since our last newsletter, there is a lot to update!
First, welcome to all of our new crew members and SHORE SIDE!
WELCOME KARLY BOUDREAUX!
Karly has already made a huge difference in how shoreside rolls the past several weeks. She is getting us organized! She has been and will be asking for updated info from all of our crew members, so if she asks you to get some paperwork done, ya know she means business. She does compare herself to Roz in Monsters Inc!
Do your paperwork!
WELCOME LYNSIE LAW!
If you work on one of our vessels, you’ve undoubtedly talked to Lynsie in Personnel many times over the past couple of months! She is part of the team working to keep the crew changes flowing smoothly on the vessels!
Michael Ortego and Lynsie Law will be working together as a team in Personnel at Dupre Marine from hiring to crew changes to everything in-between!
Now for vessel news!
We now have 14 vessels in our fleet. So here’s what happened in the past couple of Quarters: Dupre Marine has leased the M/V Orange, M/V Lou Nataro and M/V Kleberg from Kirby Inland Marine. The M/V Evin Dupre was sold and sadly we lost the M/V Mary Dupre to a fire. There has been a lot of moving and shaking behind the scenes to make this all happen as smoothly as possible and we, as always, appreciate everyone’s patience with the changes.
More big news is the 15th vessel, M/V Wells Porche, is now being built at Intracoastal Ironworks in Bourg and should launch in late fall. Look out for photos on social media!
M/V Wells Porche coming soon!
FYI’s
The Dupre Marine 401 K plan has rolled out If you wish to participate, please let Jamie know as soon as possible. There is a website also to sign up and easily monitor your plan. Changes can be made to this plan in WRITING at the beginning of each Quarter. More information will follow.
Open enrollment for benefits, if you have not previously signed up, will be in January 2023. Please look out for an email from Jamie regarding open enrollment and call her during office hours if you have any questions.
A reminder ALL crew members who work on vessels in unit tow service must be clean shaven, regardless if our crew members are tanking or shore tankermen are utilized. This is a DMT policy as well as our customers.
New uniform t-shirts will be distributed as needed after your anniversary date. If you would like extras during that time, we will be happy to get them to you, just ask and they can be payroll deducted. And we finally got the new hoodie sweatshirts in and will be sending out on crew change day with the beanie cap just in time for the cooler weather!
Stop right now and check the expiration dates on all your credentials (MMC, Medical Card, TWIC, Drivers License, etc). Although we track your info in Helm, lately it is not enough time before expiration. With your time on the boat and the time it takes to get the process done, you could expire and not be able to work. It could take a couple months to several months. Please get with Karly if you need any help with your MMC. And here is the link to renew your TWIC card online https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/twic
This is your livelihood, your career, so keep track of it please!
If you have ANY changes to your address, personal info, marital/child status, banking info, please let Karly know as soon as possible! You can call her during office hours or email her directly at kboudreaux@dupremarine.com. Please also know that any of these changes must come directly from the employee.
Do you get stuff shipped to the office for crew change? We are more than happy to get your packages to the vessel, but please help us out and text/call/email to let us know when it is coming so we can look out for it.
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. And we are on TikTok @dupremarinetowboats for any video contributions! We also have videos on YouTube and we recently joined a new video platform, Rumble.
If any of our crew members would like to contribute content to future newsletters, please email Denise dmorencie@dupremarine.com
Office hours are 0800-1700 Monday to Friday, please note the times you contact shoreside during off hours when it is not urgent. If it can wait until office hours, please call then, and of course if it is urgent call the necessary contact for the problem.
Demarrius Thomas always working safely in full PPE
⚠️ 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
⚠️ 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 Lynsie 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 Lynsie or Michael 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.