We are watching Tropical Storm Bonnie and making active preparations according to our Storm Preparedness and Response Plan, given that Bonnie’s current track anticipates landfall in the New Orleans area early Sunday morning, July 25. As of this point, please continue to use your normal means of contacting Canal Barge Company.  If conditions change in the New Orleans area, we will post further guidance on alternate contact information and for other announcements or guidance.

Waterways Council, Inc., the national public policy organization that advocates for a properly funded and well-maintained system of inland waterways and ports, created a video to demonstrate the many benefits, both economic and environmental, the inland waterways system provides our nation. Click here to watch the 30 second video. You can also visit the Waterways Council, Inc. website to learn more about their ongoing efforts to keep the inland waterways system a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

Our Nation’s Waterways: Keep America Moving

The Deepwater Horizon spill has been a disaster of unprecedented scope that, clearly, no one was prepared for — a massive fire with fatalities, a search and rescue mission followed by a sinking and subsequent massive oil spill. This has been a tragic incident, with major implications for the environment, people, and economy of the Gulf Coast.  It will be studied for decades by management and safety professionals to prevent such things from happening in the future. 

In light of this spill, I would like to take this opportunity to reinforce Canal Barge Company’s commitment to doing business right — we will never sacrifice safety for expediency or a quick buck.

There have also clearly been problems with the spill response. At CBC, we firmly believe in early and accurate incident reporting, and an emergency response effort that can be adaptable to large-scale incidents. We recognize that it is always better to overreact and then pull back, rather than to under-react and hope for the best.

New laws and regulations will be forthcoming as a result of the spill and the response — some that are necessary and appropriate, and some that are the result of regulatory overkill.  For example, our industry, which had no connection whatsoever to the Deepwater Horizon incident, is now threatened with attacks on the Jones Act and other laws that govern our domestic maritime industry. We also face increased insurance requirements for oil spills from our vessels, despite the fact that current limits are more than adequate for the quantities and material we carry. Needless to say, we will engage in the debate and push for smarter laws and regulations and against rules that do not make good sense for business or for the safety and protection of people or the environment.

Many of us live in the Gulf region and are no doubt concerned about the impact of this spill on our livelihoods and way of life. These concerns are legitimate, and it is far too early to tell what the long-term environmental impact will be on the Gulf of Mexico and our communities. We can each do our part to support cleanup efforts.

Unfortunately, President Obama has made our region’s recovery more difficult by his decision to put a 6-month moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf. I believe that this is wrong path because it will harm one of the major economic drivers of the Gulf region for the short- and long-term without a clear improvement in safety. It is insightful that the moratorium was implemented against the advice of our government’s own safety experts. If you are so inclined, please take the time to contact your elected officials to voice your concerns on this issue. Click here for the contact information of your Congressional delegation.

As you know, our entire way of life is built on productive relationships among our economic, recreational and cultural needs along the Gulf Coast. We have sacrificed much and contributed much for the benefit of our fellow Americans. Our region should be more fairly compensated in the future through increased royalties that can then be used to restore the wetlands and to better protect America’s energy infrastructure along the Gulf Coast.

I want to assure you that CBC’s operation is thus far largely unaffected by the oil spill and that we are doing our part to respond to this unfortunate situation. As a member of the New Orleans Business Council, I am working with a coalition to seek to overturn or modify President Obama’s moratorium, as well as to seek funding to assist our tourism economy. Additionally, CBC has assisted in the oil spill response by providing marine equipment and advice to the Incident Command team. CBC representatives will also play a role on the State of Louisiana’s Master Plan for Coastal Restoration that is being put in place as a result of the Deepwater Horizon spill and the country’s renewed understanding of our area’s national significance.

Canal Barge Company’s response to the oil spill is consistent with our Business Philosophy of safe and environmentally-responsible operations, as well as being engaged in a positive way in community and industry affairs.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Merritt

Canal Barge Company supports national efforts to restore the Gulf Coast in the wake of the BP oil spill.  To show your support for Gulf Coast Restoration efforts, check out the ‘Be the One’ campaign launched by the Women of the Storm at www.restorethegulf.com.   There is a video to view, as well as an online petition that states, ‘I demand that a plan to restore American’s Gulf be fully funded and implemented for me and future generations.’

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) presented a Ship Safety Award to CBC Captain Katherine Chaplin and her crew of the MV CAROLINE at the Ship Safety Achievement Annual Awards Luncheon  June 3, 2010. 

On August 10, 2009, the MV CAROLINE, with a tow of 5 barges on the ICWW near Texas City, TX, was hit from behind by another boat pushing the lead barge up onto the stern of the MV CAROLINE and causing the boat to sink up to the galley. Captain Chaplin had just finished her watch when the incident occurred. She quickly assembled the crew and made preparations to deploy the skiff. As the overtaking tow pushed the stern of the MV CAROLINE down, the generators necessary for deploying the skiff were flooded. Captain Chaplin then determined the crew should abandon ship and move to the barges for safety. Captain Chaplin’s primary concern was the health and safety of her crew. “Everyone stepped up to the task to ensure crew safety and minimal damage to the vessel and the environment they were in,” said Captain Chaplin. In total, the crew of the MV CAROLINE had over 40 years of service and they were able to handle the incident.

When it was clear all was safe, Captain Chaplin immediately turned her focus to the safety and protection of the environment, deploying mini-booms around the vessel to contain any leaks caused by the incident. This quick action by the crew ensured adherence to the highest standards of environmental protection. Captain Chaplin followed the procedures covered in the Emergency Response Training sessions CBC regularly conducts, and the appropriate parties were informed of the incident.

The quick thinking and proactive response of Captain Chaplin’s crew helped avoid any injuries to the crew, and helped minimize the environmental impact of this incident. Congratulations to Captain Chaplin and the crew of the MV CAROLINE for earning a 2009 Ship Safety Achievement Award.

At Canal Barge Company, we know that confidence starts with good people. On June 3, 2010, the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) honored the U.S. maritime industry for safe marine operations at the Annual Safety Awards Luncheon held at the Hilton New Orleans, Riverside. Jones F. Devlin Awards are given to vessels that have operated for at least two years without a lost-time injury.

A total of 20 CBC towboats, including an Illinois Marine Towing vessel, earned 2009 Jones F. Devlin honors, two of which have operated 14 consecutive years without a lost-time injury. Canal Barge is proud of our exceptional crews for continuing to demonstrate our strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.

MV ELIZABETH HUGER – 14 years
MV ELIZABETH LANE – 14 years
MV NED MERRICK – 11 years
MV SUSAN L. STALL – 8 years
MV CHOCTAW – 8 years
MV COUSHATTA – 8 years
MV LIBERTY – 8 years
MV SPIRIT – 8 years
MV LYDIA CAMPBELL – 6 years
MV MARY LUCY LANE – 6 years
MV CAROLINE – 4 years
MV MARIAN HAGESTAD – 4 years
MV ELLY LANE – 3 years
MV HAMILTON – 3 years
MV INTEGRITY – 3 years
MV JOSEPH M. JONES – 3 years
MV LAKE CHARLES – 3 years
MV MARY C. – 3 years (IMT vessel)
MV BULL CALF – 2 years
MV KILLIAN L. HUGER – 2 years

Canal Barge Company recently received recognition from two publications about our importance to the economy of New Orleans and South Louisiana.  ‘New Orleans CityBusiness’ listed CBC as #8 in its annual ‘Top 100 Private Companies’ in the New Orleans area (based on revenue). Canal Barge has continued to move higher in this annual listing as we have grown our operations over the years. 

‘10/12′ magazine, a publication that features news and profiles of businesses and businesspeople along the Interstate 10 & Interstate 12 corridor (encompassing southern Louisiana, including the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles metro areas), listed CBC as one of ‘50 Companies We Can’t Do Without’ in its May 2010 issue.  Selection criteria was based on: “1) important because of their national or global footprint, 2) notable for innovation, 3) good corporate citizens, and/or 4) critical to key industries, be they the bedrock industries we depend on today or the high-growth industries we hope to build in the future.”

Canal Barge is pleased to receive this external recognition, which we believe is an outgrowth of our long-term vision,  consistent management, and focus on our strategy.

At Canal Barge we know that confidence starts with safety and environmental responsibility. On November 11, 2009, the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) honored U.S. maritime industry ships, tugs and towboats for operating consecutive 2+ years without a fuel spill. We are proud to announce that 14 of our vessels received 2009 Environmental Achievement Awards. Congratulations to the dedicated crews of our vessels being honored with this award for continuing to demonstrate Canal Barge’s commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.

MV CAROLINE – 10 years
MV ELIZABETH LANE – 10 years
MV MARIAN HAGESTAD – 10 years
MV MARY LUCY LANE – 10 years
MV MERRICK JONES – 10 years
MV NED MERRICK – 10 years
MV BULL CALF – 8 years
MV HAMILTON – 8 years
MV LUKE BURTON – 5 years
MV SUSAN L. STALL – 5 years
MV KILLIAN L. HUGER – 4 years
MV LYDIA CAMPBELL – 4 years
MV ELLY LANE – 3 years
MV ELIZABETH HUGER – 2 years

H. Merritt Lane III, President and CEO of Canal Barge, has been named 2009 Maritime Person of the Year by the Propeller Club of New Orleans. Merritt Lane will be honored at a dinner on Oct. 1 at the Plimsoll Club in the World Trade Center, 2 Canal St., New Orleans.

This is a significant honor, and the Canal Barge family is proud of Merritt for earning this industry recognition.

Canal Barge Company was recognized by Inc. 500|5000 magazine as one of The Fastest-Growing Private Companies for 2009. Canal Barge was ranked 3,404 out of 5,000 private companies nationally.

The list measures revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. This is the first year Canal Barge has been recognized on this list and is proud to show growth based on good management decisions.