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Dupre Marine's Holiday Recipes
This year has been an out of control rollercoaster ride, but the spirit of the holiday season stays in our hearts, and there is truly so much to be thankful for. For most of us, family, gifts, decorations, music and food are deep in our memories. The smell of cookies baking, gumbo on the stove, turkey roasting. We all have favorites we look forward to every year or look back on from past holiday parties or gatherings of friends and families. So this year we are sharing our favorite Christmas recipes from the Dupre Marine Family . Recipes made up of love, joy, peace and gratitude
Holiday Recipes
From Our Dupre Marine Family
1 cup Cheer
2 cups Joy
3 Tablespoons Wishes
4 cups Gratitude
Mix together and enjoy!
christmas punch
Submitted by Alva Dupre
1 bottle of Champagne
4 cups cranberry juice
4 cups orange juice
8 cups ginger ale
Mix and serve in a pitcher or bowl. Fruit optional
Cheers!
Sweet Potato Casserole
Submitted by Mary Dupre
Ingredients
Crust:
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 stick butter, melted
Sweet Potato Mixture:
3 cups mashed sweet potato
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1 stick butter (1/2 cup melted)
Directions:
Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter in mixing bowl. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Mix thoroughly.
Pour mixture into a buttered baking dish.
Sprinkle the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with the crust mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to set at least 30 minutes before serving. Serves
southern Squash Casserole
Submitted by Denise Morencie
Southern Squash Casserole
2 lbs of yellow squash cut in large slices
1/4 lb butter softened
1 bag Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing Mix
1 cup sour cream
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 large onion chopped
salt and pepper
1 grated carrot or chopped red bell pepper (optional)
Boil Squash until tender. Drain and mash. Add in butter, onion, soup, sour cream, salt and pepper and 1/2 of the bag of stuffing mix. Mix thoroughly.
Pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining stuffing mix on top and bake at 300 degrees for one hour
Our Dupre Marine Christmas Tree!
Banana Pudding
Submitted by Patricia Self
Ingredients
1 (12-oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups milk
1 (5-oz) box instant French vanilla pudding mix
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 bags chessmen cookies
Directions
Line the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.
In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Paco’s Strawberry lotta cake
strawberry lotta cake
Submitted by Laird Rodrigue
You will need:
1- big deep dish disposable aluminum pan.
3-boxes of super moist strawberry cake mix.
3- large boxes of Strawberry Jello.
3- large boxes of vanilla pudding.
6 to 8- quarts of frozen strawberries.
2- large tubs of whipped cream.
Let strawberries defrost while preparing cake. (Probably overnight) Mix all 3 boxes of cake mix as directed per box and bake at 350. ( will take longer to cook then directed so keep an eye on it after the 30-35 minutes mark) when inserted tooth pick comes out clean it’s done.
After cake is done set aside and mix jelly as directed per box.
Poke entire cake with fork and pour Jello mixture onto cake.
Put cake with Jello in refrigerator over night.
Next day mix pudding as directed per box and let set for around 30 minutes after mixed then spread over cake evenly.
Drain juice from strawberries and spread evenly over pudding.
Spread cool whip topping evenly over strawberries.
Return to refrigerator for 2-3 hour so all ingredients set.
Note: This cake will be heavy it’s best to leave in refrigerator to cut servings ( I use a spatula) Also leave in refrigerator at all time to prevent melt down.
Hope you enjoy!
The Christmas Song
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you
by Nat King Cole
slow cooker Buffalo chicken dip
Submitted by Mary Dupre
2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or cook and shred
8 oz cream cheese, soften and cube
1 package dry ranch dressing mix
2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker (Crockpot). Stir Well. Cover and cook on low for 1-2 hours until hot and bubbly.
To bake in an oven. Combine all ingredients in a bowl then pour into a 9x9” baking dish. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 25-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Serve with tortilla chips, corn chips, crackers or vegetables
Rocky Road Candy
Submitted by Denise Morencie
I’ve been making these almost every year since I was a child baking with my Mom for Christmas. Best Christmas memories are baking with my mom, grandmother and aunts
1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbsp of butter
2 cups dry roasted peanuts (I prefer salted)
1 package of mini marshmallow
Directions for Rocky Road Candy:
In a large bowl, mix together peanuts and marshmallows.
Line a 9x13'“ pan with waxed paper
In a heavy pot, over lowest heat, melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and butter
When melted, turn off heat and fold in chocolate mixture into marshmallows and peanuts. Spread in waxed paper lined pan and chill for 2 hours to firm. Flip over on cutting board and cut into squares
Alternated: If desired, the mixture can be dropped by spoonful onto waxed paper lined baking sheets.
This freezes well to last the season
September: Still a High Probability of Heat Illness!
The first of September rolls around and we start thinking about pumpkins, fall leaves and cooler weather. Not in South Louisiana and Texas! We can think and hope all we want for cooler weather, but it’s still stinking hot and the threat of heat illness is with us for the next several weeks! This is especially a concern for our vessel crew members working outside and on the barges, in the direct sun and heat of the day.
All of this first week of September there are heat advisories, some areas in Extreme Danger (see the chart below to Calculate Heat Index from the NWS)
Heat Index
Will you experience dangerous heat today?
The best advice is to make sure to know the symptoms of heat illness before its too late. Watch for symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, cramping, thirst, high pulse rate, nausea, confusion, fainting or feeling faint. If you feel any of these symptoms or notice them in a crew member or anyone you are working with, please take action immediately!
The best way to avoid heat illness:
Take frequent breaks
Pre-hydrate and stay hydrated all day even when out of the heat, including electrolytes
Limit caffeine intake, stay away from sodas or sugary beverages
Wear sunscreen and other preventative PPE such as brimmed hats and a long lightweight sleeved shirt
Stay in the shade! Use umbrellas, fans, tarps, etc. when possible
Look out for one another
Preventing heat illness is key!
Watching for signs in yourself and others can keep one out of the dangers of heat illness and possible life-threatening situations
Prevention and treatment
From heat rash to heat stroke, this is a great quick reference from Kirby Inland Marine for treatments. Remember to take immediate steps if a crew member has any heat related illness.
:
the main reason to stay hydrated
Finally to leave you with an interesting and scary fact: Heat is the leading cause of weather related deaths over the last 30 years. Stay hydrated, keep up with your electrolytes and take general precautions and you will steer from this statistic!
I’m sure we are all looking forward to some cooler, low humidity days, our few month relief before the heat rises again.
Captain Zane took the challenge and ran with it!
Just over a year ago, Zane Naquin accepted the opportunity to move from the beautiful M/V Kathleen Dupre, a 4 year old vessel, and become the Captain of the newly acquired M/V Kylie Dupre, a vessel built in 1999. Although still a fairly new boat in “vessel years”, the Kylie was definitely a work in progress.
Rory put his faith in Zane, who is now 31 years old and a part of Dupre Marine for about 8 years, to bring this older vessel up to Dupre Marine standards, which are pretty high. The Kylie would definitely need a lot of TLC. Rory has said the older vessels should look as good as the newest ones; with hard work, cleaning, painting and keeping the safety standards at Zero discrepancies; all it takes is a Captain who is a strong leader. Zane said no problem, he would make it happen.
In just a year, Captain Zane has made that happen. He has surrounded himself with a crew that possesses the same passion as he maintains. He also surrounds himself with a wonderful family life with his wife Nina and their 2 children here in Houma, Louisiana. Both are important to a good balance and structure to his work/home life. And not only a strong leader, but Zane is well liked by all the other crew members and a great teacher to his nephew, Seth Helmer, now a steersman on the M/V Kylie Dupre.
Captain Zane Naquin and crew have turned the M/V Kylie Dupre into a beautiful well run vessel. Pristine. Hard work that also resulted in accolades such as a first year No Harm Award and in the past couple of weeks has received a Zero for the Kirby Inland Marine Safety Audit and now a clean SIRE audit with zero findings.
Zane’s passion shows. He exudes Dupre Marine culture. He took the challenge, ran with it and succeeded.
Vessel Visit in the Times of Covid-19
From late March 2020 for approximately 5-6 weeks, visiting a vessel was virtually out of the question. Virtual being the key word, because visiting a vessel in these new strange times of Covid-19 kept most of our key vessel visitors away from the boats for health safety. It turned to more phone calls and virtual visits via FaceTime and Zoom. Any repair visits or necessary drop offs to the boats were quickly done, fully masked, gloved and sanitized. Pretty much no one was allowed to interfere with the crew’s health during this time. Vessel crews naturally “social distance”, but every precaution was taken.
Finally, May 4, 2020 a few of the travel restrictions were lifted and Port Captain Frank Bumgarden, Safety and Compliance Manager Sarah Hattier and Engineering Manager Jeremy Cavalier were back on track to get to the vessels to pay visits, perform audits and get any repairs and maintenance completed.
And on May 12th with a few more restrictions lifted, our fearless leader Rory Dupre and VP Calvin Self, ventured out as masked men to visit the crew on the M/V Everard Dupre to present them with their Kirby NO HARM Award. Yes, wearing their masks to keep our essential crew members safe, while making a friendly visit, one which everyone needs right now after such a long lockdown. Captain Tub and Crew were more than welcoming, still loving to show off their beautiful almost year old vessel! And after the short visit, Rory and Calvin returning to our office here in Houma, with nothing but smiles and gratitude for being able to finally get out there and make that vessel visit.
May 12, 2020 vessel visit to M/V Everard Dupre. In the photo: Calvin Self, Demarrius Thomas, Phillip Thompson, Captain James Tub Davis (with award), Paul Jackson, Jalare Marks, Rory Dupre
Dupre Marine is Recognized with Seven No Harm Awards from 2019!
4 One Year Awards, 2 Two Year Awards and an amazing Five Year Award were presented to our vessels and crews at Kirby Inland Marine’s No Harm Awards Banquet for 2019.
Rory Dupre, Jaimen Dupre and Calvin Self were in attendance for Dupre Marine in February and were honored to receive these well-deserved awards on behalf of our crews. Outstanding work and achievements!! These awards will be on display at our office with our many other awards from past years and each of the vessels will receive their individual awards to display on their walls as well. These awards are simply evidence of the hard work, dedication and safe measures displayed daily; demonstrating Dupre Marine awesomeness!
Congratulations to the Crews:
M/V Jerry Porche (5 years consecutive No Harm for this crew); M/V Kathleen Dupre (2 years No Harm); M/V Megan E Dupre (2 years No Harm); M/V Ambrie Dupre (1 year No Harm); M/V Everard Dupre (1 year No Harm); M/V Evin Dupre (1 year No Harm); M/V Kylie Dupre (1 year No Harm)
High River Conditions Impact Mariner Safety
It’s that time of year again when the force of the river sends a strong message with seemingly unstoppable intensity and power throughout the Marine Industry and along her banks. It is High River season, except some years seems like the “season” lasts longer and longer.
“In May 2019, the Mississippi River exceeded a 92 year old record for days at flood stage. It is not so unusual that the river is high, but it is unusual that is has been for so long - the longest-lasting since the “Great Flood” of 1927.”
“High river season is the broadest reaching natural phenomena facing American maritime commerce, yet no other group of operators are more vulnerable to the hazards and increased risk than the towing and barge industry. Onboard a towing vessel, circumstances can change from challenging to tragic in a matter of moments.”
“Behavioral research shows us that in emergency situations and critical moments, muscle memory and instinct take over. In a crisis situation, there isn’t time to look up a procedure. Training, rigorous drills as if in an actual emergency, and vessel specific orientation are critical to ensuring onboard safety.”
Those were a few excerpts from the June 2019 article in Marine Log Magazine by Sarah Michelle Hattier, Safety and Regulatory Compliance Manager for Dupre Marine Transportation, High River Conditions Impact Mariner Safety.
Please take some time to read this important article, not only discussing how high river impacts the towing industry, but how “effective safety risk management” is performed, researched and implemented in the industry, as well as from the decks of the towboats. As we always instill in our crews, everyone’s main goal should be to go home safely.
High River view in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
FIVE YEAR NO HARM AWARD!
Holding the rare Kirby Inland Marine 5 year NO HARM flag is a special honor and this year, the crew of the M/V Jerry Porche (formerly the crew of the M/V Evin Dupre) received their flag to proudly fly on their vessel. Next month, the award will be presented at the Kirby Awards.
We are so proud of Captain Woody and his crew for reaching this outstanding safety goal! Five years of creating a culture of safety within their crew and on their vessels. Such an amazing accomplishment!
A special congratulations goes to the crew that contributed all 5 years:
Captain Robert “Woody” Stracner
Relief Captain Dennis Parks
Tankerman Kevin Daigrepont
Tankerman Jeremy Freeman
Dupre Marine Receives 5 NO HARM Kirby Inland Marine Awards
Last night, February 19, 2019, Rory, Jaimen, and Calvin attended the Kirby No Harm Awards Banquet and Dupre Marine was represented well receiving 5 awards! There were two companies that received more awards than DMT, but both of those companies have 20+ boats working for Kirby Inland Marine. We have made it clear that we want to be the best and if we can continue to improve, maintain our focus, and all work towards that goal, we will be the best! There is no reason that our entire fleet can’t achieve what the vessels below have proven is possible… Incident free takes a team effort. Everyone on shore and everyone on the vessels are working towards and passionate about acheiveing that goal!
Congratulations to the crews of the vessels below on going 2018 incident free.
MV Kathleen Dupre – Top 5 Performer
MV Kathleen Dupre- No Harm
MV Alva Dupre- No Harm (2 years)
MV Evin Dupre- No Harm (4 years)
MV Megan E. Dupre -No Harm
January 2019 Kicked Off DMT's Safety Topic of the Month: PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the first and foremost way to prevent individual injuries , health issues, safety risks and possibly death. All towboaters are supplied with and are required to wear and utilize the proper PPE for any job performed on the vessel.
The basics (but not limited to) of proper PPE’s for the jobs performed of crew members:
⚠️ flotation devices
⚠️ respiratory safety
⚠️ eye safety
⚠️ hearing protection
⚠️ hand/foot limb safety
⚠️ body/skin protection
PPE will assist in:
✅ Promoting a safe work place
✅ Striving for Zero injuries and illnesses
✅ Recognizing conditions that may pose a safety threat by correctly using and wearing your PPE
PPE must be considered a part of our daily operation for every crew member
• All PPE should be cleaned, maintained, inspected, and properly stored after each use
• Damage to personal protective equipment should be reported and replaced if necessary
• PPE should fit, be worn correctly, and used as it is intended, report if it does not fit or meet your personal requirements
• Crew members are personally responsible and will be held accountable for wearing the approved PPE, at the appropriate times and at the appropriate time
We kicked off Dupre Marine’s Safety Topic of the Month, not only to emphasize safety on the vessels, but also via our social media platforms to make note of how important all aspects of safety are onboard and in our day to day lives; keeping all of you safe while you are working, so you can go home safely after your hitch.
Many of our crew members participated with photos and scenarios, keeping all of you engaged, as well as our followers online. You can see many of them on our Instagram or our Facebook pages.
In case you missed it, here are just a few examples from our crews:
Dupre Marine Transportation is a Culture of Safety
Our emphasis and demands on safety are not only to keep our crew members safe from injuries, health issues or fatalities, but an intent to get each person home to their family and friends safely!
Wear it right, use it right! Safety first!
Dupre Marine's FIRST C.O.I.
Congratulations to the Captain and Crew of the M/V Kathleen Dupre for obtaining Dupre Marine Transportation’s first COI in the new Sub Chapter M world. What a great accomplishment and an example of the hard teamwork and dedication to achieving these high standards!
Special recognition goes to the whole crew for making it happen:
Captain Chad Verdin
Relief Captain Zane Naquin
Pilot David Verdin
Tankerman Chris Naquin
Tankerman Keandre Jackson
Tankerman Laird Rodrigue
Deckhand Tristin Verdin
Congrats gentlemen on your excellent goal achievement for you and Dupre Marine!
And to accent that accomplishment, the M/V Ambrie Dupre got the second COI a few days after the Kathleen and our next success will be coming shortly!
Our New Vessel Launched on August 29th!!
Have you ever kept a secret? A really big secret?
On August 29, 2018 Dupre Marine launched the M/V Jerry Porche to it’s seaworthy state in this bayou and it was a success! About 30 of us were there from Dupre Marine, some family, associates and the builders of the vessel at Intracoastal Ironworks in Bourg, LA. And the one person not present was the namesake of the vessel, Mr. Jerry Porche, Alva Dupre’s father (Alva is Rory’s wife for those who don’t know). This vessel naming is a gift to her dad and we have been keeping it a secret this whole time. In fact, writing this blog post is a few days after the boat Christening! So the lauch was a wonderful success, she is a beautiful vessel. And since the secret is out, Mr. Jerry was so surprised, I’m not sure if it matters he missed the launching of his boat.
Enjoy the fun compilation video of the launch. It surely is an awesome vessel and addition to our Dupre Marine fleet!
M/V Evin Dupre Scores a Perfect Zero on Their Kirby Safety/Quality Audit!
We (shore side folks) got the group text yesterday we love to see from our Port Captain Darren Istre, that one of our vessels scored a Zero on an audit or Clean audit...all which means they received a perfect score; zero discrepancies found on their audit! Dupre Marine is fully compliant in all areas of safety with our vessels and crews, adding Sub Chapter M and TMSA 3 to that list already this year, however scrupulous auditors conduct these various examinations of vessels to ensure every single detail is observed and nothing overlooked by the Captains and crews. Dupre Marine is a culture of safety and that is evident and proven!
Yesterday was just another of those days regarding the M/V Evin Dupre, Captain Woody (Robert) Stracner and his crew received their perfect score on their Kirby Safety/Quality Audit (aka Tunks audit). Capt Woody requires he and his crew maintain the absolute best every day on their vessel in all aspects of ultimate safety, customer satisfaction and outstanding overall performance. This was just another day on the water for this crew, but they definitely deserve full congratulations!
Another CLEAN SIRE for the m/v Ambrie Dupre!
Congrats to the m/v Ambrie Dupre on yet another CLEAN SIRE audit with zero discrepancies! This is well deserved for this hardworking crew that continues to focus on all aspects of safety, performance, pride in their vessel and customer satisfaction. And results such as this one on July 18, 2018 expalins their dedication to Dupre Marine Transportation and attention to detail regarding their vessel.
The m/v Ambrie Dupre is not only a place where this crew conducts daily business, but also importantly their home away from home.
Again huge congratulation to a high performing vessel and crew!
Congratulations Jamie for an Amazing Ten Year Anniversary!
Ten Years strong with the Dupre Marine Family. Jamie Robichaux is celebrating her 10 year anniversary at Dupre Marine Transportation as Office Manager and also full-time keeping everyone in line shore side! Jamie is an amazing caring woman in and out of the office and has been so much a part of this ever growing family owned towboat business. Congratulations Jamie for all you do for Dupre Marine and the family!
And judging by how delicious that anniversary cake looks, we can assume that other members of the shore side group (uh...not naming any names) polished that off for her!
Here is hoping the next ten years will be just as exciting!
A New Dupre Marine Vessel Coming This Summer 2018
We are excited to announce the newest vessel to our Dupre Marine Transportation fleet...coming summer 2018! Although the name of the vessel is not disclosed yet, it will be a member of the Dupre family. Our maintenance manager, Jeremy Cavalier, took a trip to the shipyard last week to get us a glimpse into the progress of the new boat, which is due to hit the water late July or early August. This is a huge advancement in our growing family owned business and we look forward to continue to add to our fleet!
If you have barges/cargo to move, we have the horsepower with another amazing towboat to make it happen! Get onboard with the company that provides the best in barge movement with ultimate safety!
