| 2023 | Quarter 2 | Issue EIGHT |
the voyager Newsletter
Welcome to Dupre Marine’s Quarterly Newsletter!
Influence
What kind of influence are you? All of us influence those around us. We have a direct impact on our family members, our friends, our co-workers, and even strangers. Some influences are passed along through the things we say, some are passed along through the advice we give, and some, I believe more importantly, are passed through our actions. How we conduct ourselves in the presence of others speaks volumes and has a lasting impact. Truthfully, we will never know just how far our actions reach or how long they affect others. The ripple effect could go on for an eternity.
When we stop someone from doing something unsafe or when we take the time to coach or train someone to do something the right way, it gets passed along and it could possibly save lives. Unfortunately, there is a flipside to that coin. When we allow unsafe acts to go uncorrected, when we don’t take the time to teach others the right way, or worse, when we knowingly pass along bad behavior, the consequences could be deadly.
At DMT it is shore management’s duty to put the right persons on vessels and to provide them with all the tools for success. It might not be a person with the most experience. Many times, it’s a person with little experience that we believe has the right character. A person that we believe will one day make us a better company and pass along a legacy of safety. Just as important, it is a vessel employees’ duty to pass along the knowledge they have accumulated, ensure that person is trained and given the opportunity to work safely, and most importantly look out for each other’s safety. This is how you build a strong safety culture.
We cannot be the best without having a strong safety culture. We cannot have a strong safety culture without good character employees passing along safe work habits. Good character employees understand it’s not just about him or her. They understand it’s about their influence on others.
What kind of influence are you?
KIRBY’S NO HARM AWARD BANQUET
Joe and Janice Williamson at the Kirby NO HARM banquet on June 1, 2023
On June 1st Kirby held held its annual No Harm Award Banquet in Houston. Joe Williamson and his wife, Janice attended the banquet with Calvin and Jaimen.
Congratulations to Dupre Marine Tankerman Joe Williamson!
We would like to extend a special congratulations to DMT Tankerman Joe Williamson (M/V Everard Dupre) for once again earning a Kirby NO HARM award. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to safety responsibility with their STOP WORK submissions.
This marks Joe's 10th nomination, which is a remarkable achievement. Joe's dedication to safety and watching for Stop Work responsibilities has consistently set him apart from his peers within Kirby and entire charter fleet. Joe’s commitment to excellence is evident in his daily work, where he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of he and his crew members, the equipment and environment. We are proud to have him on the DMT team and grateful for his outstanding service.
Other notable Dupre Marine crew members that were recognized: Sidney Verdin, Will Caples and (Trip Pilot) Danny Verret
Dupre marine’s 2022 NO HARM award from the kirby award banquets
Favorite photo of the Quarter sent early June by Captain Tub Davis on the M/V Everard Dupre, sunrise from High Island
cookin’ In the galley
Keep your crew happy with good food! Keep it easy on these hot summer days
taco day with slow cooked pork
Easy to make! Just throw it all in the slow cooker at the end of one watch and it will be ready by next watch! This can be used in tacos (tortilla or lettuce shells), as nacho, put in a bowl with toppings or chill and put over a salad for taco salad.
Pork Roast (Pork butt or shoulder for fattier cuts or Center Cut Pork Roast (lean cut) - For fattier cuts sear the fat side in a hot pan before putting in slow cooker
2 onions, cut in chunks
2 bell peppers (any color), cut in chunks
3-4 garlic cloves
2 jalapenos, seeded and sliced, for less heat use Anaheim peppers or Poblano peppers
1 can corn, drained
1-2 can's Rotel, drained
1 container of fresh mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1 can black beans or pinto beans, drained
1 can pineapple, drained (optional)
Lime juice from one lime
Cilantro, chopped (optional)
Seasonings (I am heavy with seasoning, but you can season before cooking then season to taste afterwards): Cumin, chili powder (smoked is better), salt, pepper or use Taco Seasoning and I like Tabasco Chipotle Hot Sauce
Taco shells (corn or flour tortillas) or tortilla chips
Or lettuce shells shells for a healthier option
Taco toppings: Chopped lettuce, chopped fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream and shredded cheese, guacamole or sliced avocados, chopped red onions
Directions: put everything in the slow cooker except the taco shells and toppings for 6-8 hours. You can also use the Instant Pot for half the time. Serve with some or all of the toppings and taco vessel of choice!
No Bake Berry Ice Box Cake
This quick dessert the whole crew will love take no-time to make and keep it chilled for as long as it lasts! You can place the berries on top in the shape of the American Flag on the 4th of July!
For a healthier berry dessert: Whip heavy whipping cream with a little vanilla extract and a little stevia. Beat with a mixer until the whipped cream until fluffy and forms peaks. Chill. Slice your strawberries and top the whipped cream with strawberries and blueberries.
no bake berry ice box cake
Ingredients:
1 box of vanilla wafers
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding
8 oz whipped topping (or make your own: beat heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until fluffy and forms peaks)
2.5 cups of milk
4 - 5 cups of mixed berries (or more), slice the strawberries
9x13 baking dish (glass preferred)
In a large bowl using a mixer, mix together the cream cheese and both packages of instant pudding. Gradually mix in the milk. Then with a spatula fold in the whipped cream.
Fold approx. 3 cups of the berries (slice the strawberries) into half of the cream mixture and save the rest for the topping.
Line the bottom of the baking dish with vanilla wafers, some can be broken to cover the bottom.
Spread half of the berry/cream mixture on top of the wafers.
Top with another layer of vanilla wafers then top the wafers with the remaining berry/cream mixture.
Refrigerate for 4 hours then top the dessert with the remaining berries.
dmt summer music fun quiz!
For everyone!
A Summer Music Quiz! How well do you know these favorites?! There are so many summer song that bring back a lot of memories from past summers. Enjoy guessing on these songs with good vibes 🌞
Looking for some summer fun music?
Click the link below to bring you to Radio Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett’s 24/7 streaming station for some summer tropical vibes!
dmt’s Wheelhouse spotlight: Rusty dardar
Our wheelhouse spotlight is on Rusty Dardar, one of the valued captains of our Dupre Marine fleet. Rusty has been working as Relief Captain on the M/V Brendan K. He is always personable and focused on working safely, important to his crew. And our Shoreside group all agree that Rusty is super easy going and just a great guy!
Rusty embodies what it means to be a part of the Dupre Marine team. His friendly and hardworking attitude have made him an indispensable wheelman. He has the skills and experience to handle any situation that comes his way on the water, and he consistently delivers a high level of performance. His passion for towboating and his commitment to DMT/PAC Marine and his crew are evident in everything he does. Captain Jeff Verdin says that it is so great to work with his nephew, Rusty. He is not just a great wheelman, but really good with the crew, always teaching the deckhands and working with them.
Rusty calls the bayou his home, but his new home for the past few years has been in Mississippi with his wife, Megan and their 4 children. We know with all the long hitches on the boat, nothing compares to the time enjoyed with his family. The devotion to his family is the reason for the hard work!
Rusty, you are an awesome example of the talent, dedication and culture that make us successful. We are grateful for all you do and look forward to a long future here at Dupre Marine!
dmt spotlight: Jeremy freeman
10 year anniversary
We would like to extend a huge congratulations to Jeremy Freeman, one of our dedicated Tankermen, on his 10 year anniversary at Dupre Marine. Jeremy joined our DMT family in 2013 after working for a larger towboat company and has since devoted his career to making Dupre his professional home.
During his decade-long tenure with us, Jeremy has consistently exemplified a strong work ethic, tireless dedication, and a passion for his work. He has been an essential part of our team, always willing to lend a helping hand and go above and beyond for his fellow crew members.
Currently, Jeremy can be found working on the M/V Kleberg alongside Captain Woody Stracner, with whom he has worked closely for many years. We are grateful for their teamwork, as they consistently provide exceptional work ethic and pride in their home away from home.
When Jeremy is not working on the boat, he enjoys spending time with his new wife, Amber in Franklinton, Louisiana. This small town is a place where he can unwind and relax while recharging for his next hitch.
We are honored to have Jeremy as a part of the Dupre Marine family, and we look forward to many more years. We appreciate you and your dedication!
safety topic:
are you watch ready?
being watch ready is to be rested, alert and situationally aware
We understand that being watch ready means more than simply being physically ready. It also means being mentally focused, having a clear understanding of the task at hand, and understanding the potential outcomes of any situation that may arise.
By doing so, we ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and is committed to carrying them out effectively. The start of every watch is a great opportunity for any crew member to ask questions or raise concerns, which can ultimately help prevent potential issues from happening.
Take your job seriously and understand the importance of being watch ready at all times!
What does it mean to be RESTED?
You’ve had appropriate sleep during your time off-watch
You’ve had a chance to refresh/regain your strength after strenuous work
You’ve eaten healthy meals and stay hydrated
You do not feel overly tired
What does it mean to be ALERT?
You are active, attentive and observant
You are quick to notice any unusual, potentially dangerous or difficult circumstances
You are focused on the task at hand
You are engaged in conversation, communication and problem solving
What does it mean to be SITUATIONALLY AWARE?
You are in-tune with your surrounding environment and potential factors that may impact you, your crew or your equipment
Weather
Tides
Water flow
Other equipment
Attention to your crew and their attentiveness
Continually assessing and re-assessing your environment
prior to each watch change and prior to each critical task, challenge YOURSELVES and Your fellow crew members AND ask,
"Are all of us watch ready?”
Common factors that can prevent you from being RESTED, ALERT and SITUATIONALLY AWARE:
Illness or injuries
Lack of sleep off watch or starting your hitch without rest
General fatigue, especially towards the end of a watch or hitch
Heat stress or dehydration
Travel schedule to get to the boat for a recent crew change or changing boats during your hitch.
Adjusting to a 6 hour watch rotation early in a hitch
Distractions from home life (troubles or worries at home, missing holidays, family illness, etc.)
Conflicts or tensions with other crew members
Integration of new crew members with less experience
Distractions on the vessel or lack of focus on task at hand (phone, radio, etc)
Complacency
Insufficient information exchange at watch changes/crew changes (watch change conference)
Insufficient risk assessments (rushed, lack of communication on environmental factors etc)
Lack of awareness in environmental factors
SAFETY QUIZ:
THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR ALL VESSEL EMPLOYEES WORKING DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2023
ALL crew members must answer these questions. This quiz refers to the main safety topic for this Quarter: WATCH READY and WATCH CHANGE in the Vessel Operating Procedures (VOP). When you are complete and hit “Submit Answers” you will get a response with your the answers and learning information. This will be a part of your safety compliance.
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It is the goal of Dupre Marine that all employees work safe hitches and go home to their families after their hitch is completed
safety warning: don’t get caught in the bight
We've all heard this before: “Don't stand in a bight”. If you get tangled up in the lines, you are looking at trouble, losing a limb or even losing your life. Getting tangled up can mean more than the lines, a few other ways are wires, moving machinery, hydraulic arms, winches, mostly simple hazards in your every day work.
THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG WAY
Aaron Mousseau demostrates the right way (top photo) and wrong way (bottom photo) of how to stand in the Danger Zone aka Line of Fire
Wear proper PPE for the job you are doing
Conduct proper JSA’s for the situation
Be WATCH READY
Use tag-out procedures
Don’t be distracted
Assess the risk before you perform any job, be aware of your surroundings
Be aware of procedures, cautions or warning signs (posted caution placards or “Danger Zone”)
Watch out for your fellow crew members, Wheelhouse should keep an eye on deck crew
Watch this video about line handling injury preventions: Bights, Pinch Points and Snap Backs
Watch this next quick video below about Pinch Points. They use vegetables in the video as reference for what could happen if your hands or feet get caught!
Rory’s Favorite Quote to our Dupre Marine Team:
“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
happy 4th of july!
IN THIS ISSUE
Calvin’s Corner
Employee Spotlights
Safety Topics
DMT Anniversaries
Company News & Updates
Cookin’ in the Galley
Just for Fun!
NEW: Crew Safety Quiz
DUPRE MARINE’S ANNIVERSARIES for 2023 SECOND Quarter
AS OF APRIL 2023:
Denise Morencie: 5 Years
Arthur Bartholomew: 2 Years
Alex Landry: 2 Years
AS OF MAY 2023:
Seth Helmer: 4 Years
Trent Stoute: 2 Years
Kannon Brown: 1 Year
Dennis Parks: 9 Years
Kevin Daigrepont: 10 Years
Jaimen Dupre: 13 Years
Demarrius Thomas: 4 Years
Saige Robinson: 3 Years
Rusty Dardar: 1 Year
Josh Petroff: 2 Years
Ben Dupre: 2 Years
Layne Liner: 2 Years
AS OF JUNE 2023:
Gary Simpson: 1 Year
Larry Dupre: 2 Years
Jamie Robichaux: 15 Years
Matt Gisclair: 2 Years
Gary Mettlen: 1 Year
Michael Barton: 1 Year
Lynsie Law: 1 Year
company news & updates
vessel news!
The M/V Cove Point joined the Dupre Marine Fleet in April! In less than 2 months, our Dupre Marine blue is on the Cove Point and looking great! The crew has been working non-stop!
Other awesome news, the M/V Rex Dobson is now owned by Dupre Marine! Word from Rory is that the boat will be re-named in the future.
And as of the end of this quarter Jaimen (PAC Marine) has purchased the M/V Lou Nataro from Kirby. The re-naming of the vessel is already in progress and will be the M/V Isaac K! Jaimen will have Dean Robichaux, Jamie’s husband make the new name boards for the Isaac K so you will be seeing Captain Brad Autin and crew on their newly named vessel soon!
M/V Cove Point looking great in our Dupre Marine blue!
DMT FYI’s
If you are missing any Hot weather PPE to keep you cool, please let Chris Cavalier or Karly know asap. From Boonie hats and cooling rags to coolers, jugs and electrolytes. Tankermen should also be sure to have these items as well as umbrellas to bring out for shade.
If you haven’t already, download the Heat Index app to your phone. It is on the boat phones, but great to have to show you the Real Feel temps and what to do to prevent heat illness. (See below for the links to the app)
If you haven’t already and would like to sign up for our 401K plan, please email Jamie at jrobichaux@dupremarine.com and she will help you sign up!
A reminder ALL deckhands and tankermen who work on any vessel in unit tow service must be clean shaven, regardless if our crew members are tanking or shore tankermen are utilized. Any wheelmen with facial hair must be neat and trimmed as specified by Calvin or Frank for the customer requirements. This is a DMT policy as well as our customers’ policy. It is for your safety.
Karly is keeping up with yearly uniform shirts. If you wish to purchase extra shirts, please get with Karly and you can be payroll deducted for the extras.
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 personal info, marital/child status, banking info, please let Jamie or Karly know as soon as possible! You can call during office hours or email directly jrobichaux@dupremarine.com or 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.
Complete all your current and due Moxie online training. This is a compliance requirement, audit requirement and also tied into your Safety Reward Points that will be distributed near the beginning of each quarter
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!
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.
Feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!
DownloaD THE HEAT INDEX APP!
Hit this link https://www.osha.gov/heat/heat-app to download this helpful app to iPhone or Android. This app lets you immediately see the heat index for your location so you know what you are up against in this heat to keep you safe from heat related illnesses. Stay safe, hydrated and keep cool!
If our DMT Crew Members missed the BEAT THE HEAT 101 Campaign, here is the safety info for Know the Signs, Real Feel, and Electrolytes. Also helpful info for anyone dealing with the summer heat and working out in it to keep yourself safe from heat related illnesses (from jobs to yard work to fun in the sun!).
submit NEAR MISses 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!
Crew members: Submit as often as possible in HELM!
pump up those numbers!
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pump up those numbers! 〰️
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.
⚠️ 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.