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Blessey News
A Word From Walter and Clark
In 2011, Blessey Marine christened five new vessels and one refurbished vessel, but despite the bleak economy, 2012 is shaping up to be a busy year. We have nine new vessels under construction or on order for delivery in 2012. The first three vessels that will be christened are the M/V George Allen in honor of the former Governor of Virginia who is currently campaigning for Senate, the M/V Governor Mike Huckabee in honor of the former Governor of Arkansas and a staunch fiscal conservative, and the M/V Edward Jones in honor of our long time Port Engineer, Ed “Grumpy” Jones.
Blessey Maine is recognized by the United States Coast Guard as one of the safest carriers in the business and is a model for how to do it right. The M/V Pat Voss was featured on the cover of an informational booklet for the USCG’s Requirements for Uninspected Towing Vessels. Our vessel was selected because of our participation in the program and our reputation for being “Simply the Best.”
–2011 News–
A Word From Walter and Clark
Between now and January 11, we will take delivery of three new motor vessels. From Sneed, we will have a 1350 HP motor vessel named in honor of our long time tankerman, Eric Bunce. We will also have a 2000 HP motor vessel from Raymond & Associates that will be named in honor of our long time captain, Tom Brown. Finally, we will have 2000 HP motor vessel from Verret that will be named after our local congressman, Steve Scalise. We are excited about receiving these new vessels.
American Waterways Operators recently released its mid-year safety statistics to the industry. Once again, Blessey Marine is well below the national average across the board!! Two of the key statistical categories that it focused on were recordable injury rate and lost time injury rate. In both of these categories, we averaged more than 70% below the average of the industry.
In Early August, Blessey Marine was awarded a distinguished D8 Flag Letter from the Rear Admiral Mary Landry and the United States Coast Guard. The award was given in recognition of our company becoming the first major inland waterways operator to become 100% compliant with the voluntary UTV Coast Guard inspection. This award recognizes our great working relationship with the Coast Guard and the hard work and effort by our vessels crews and office staff who were a part of this process.
Blessey Christens the MV David Vitter
On June 25, Blessey Marine christened the MV David Vitter in New Orleans. The 1500hp vessel built by Verret is named after local Senator David Vitter.
 
Left: Christening the vessel. Right: Walter E. Blessey, Jr. congratulates Senator David Vitter.
 
Left: The Vitter family in the wheelhouse. Right: Senator David Vitter, Capt. Lyies Lyons and Walter E. Blessey, Jr.
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