In 1993, Lyle Beaubouef started his career on the river as a tankerman with Blessey Marine Services, Inc., Harahan, LA. Today Beaubouef serves as captain of Blessey’s mv. Claudia Harold, a twinscrew 2,400 hp. towboat built by Kody Marine Inc., currently running on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi rivers. As a tribute to his service, Blessey Marine’s newest vessel was named in his honor. He chose to name the boat after his father, Joe Ray Beaubouef.
The christening for the Joe Ray Beaubouef took place on January 30 at Bray’s Landing in Houston, Texas. Built by Sneed Shipbuilding, Channelview, Texas, the boat’s dimensions are 75 by 30 by 10 feet. It is the 320th boat to be delivered by the father and son combo of Martin and Clyde Sneed, but the very first 75-foot boat. According to Clyde Sneed, the vessel has just about everything a typical 85- foot boat would have, including identical bunk and shower space and two refrigerators.
Capt. Tom Brown is the captain of the Joe Ray Beaubouef and will be accompanied by long-time acquaintance relief Capt. Charlie Jones. In fact Jones had the job of training Capt. Brown. “I trained him and now I’m working for him!” Jones joked. Combined, the pair bring with them 58 years of experience. Also on board will be tankermen Jeremy McCulloch and Steve Nash. One deckhand will be on board as well, but was not present at the time of the christening. Complimenting Sneed Shipbuilding, the crew made several comments on how quiet the boat runs.
In 1993, Lyle Beaubouef started his career on the river as a tankerman with Blessey Marine Services, Inc., Harahan, LA. Today Beaubouef serves as captain of Blessey’s mv. Claudia Harold, a twinscrew 2,400 hp. towboat built by Kody Marine Inc., currently running on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi rivers. As a tribute to his service, Blessey Marine’s newest vessel was named in his honor. He chose to name the boat after his father, Joe Ray Beaubouef.
The christening for the Joe Ray Beaubouef took place on January 30 at Bray’s Landing in Houston, Texas. Built by Sneed Shipbuilding, Channelview, Texas, the boat’s dimensions are 75 by 30 by 10 feet. It is the 320th boat to be delivered by the father and son combo of Martin and Clyde Sneed, but the very first 75-foot boat. According to Clyde Sneed, the vessel has just about everything a typical 85- foot boat would have, including identical bunk and shower space and two refrigerators.