Paducah Maritime Day Ceremony Includes Awards, Memorial

The Port of Paducah Propeller Club recognized Deb Calhoun of Waterways Council Inc. (WCI) as its Maritime Person of the Year in its May 18 Maritime Day Ceremony and Merchant Mariner Memorial.

Gail O’Connell, office manager for Tennessee Valley Towing, was named the club’s Port Person of the Year.

International Propeller Club Maria Conatser gave the keynote address. The ceremony, held at the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, also included the reading of a Maritime Day proclamation in the city of Paducah, the presentation of Duchess of Paducah awards to both Calhoun and O’Connell and the awarding of two $1,500 scholarships from the club to high school students Natalie Cryts and Grace Henderson.

The Rev. Kempton Baldridge offered a prayer, remembering merchant mariners who have lost their lives in the past year. Paducah Tilghman High School’s J.R.O.T.C. color guard placed a red, white and blue wreath, and “Taps” was played.

Club President Caleb King noted that Congress designated May 22 as National Maritime Day in 1933, and all 44 ports of the International Propeller Club celebrate it.

“This congressional designation helps demonstrate the importance of the maritime industry and honors the mariners that have lost their life in maritime service,” he said.

King noted that Paducah’s Propeller Club has a strong presence in the river industry, associated with 78 different businesses, up from 68 in 2023.

“The broad reach of this organization’s membership is a testament to the interest and importance of maritime trade in this region,” King said.

In her remarks, Conatser spoke about the nation’s maritime history and its importance.

Congress declared May 22 as National Maritime Day to commemorate the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by the steamer Savannah in 1819, the first successful crossing using steam power.

“Our merchant marine powers the world’s largest economy, strengthens our ties with trading partners and supports our military by shipping troops and supplies wherever they are needed,” she said.

The inland marine industry is responsible for almost 650,000 jobs and more than $150 billion in annual economic output.

Conatser also expressed strong support for the Jones Act.

“We at the Propeller Club are committed to promoting, advancing and supporting the maritime industry and the merchant marine, and in the U.S. that means supporting and advocating for the Jones Act, that all merchandise transported by water in the United States is moved on vessels that are U.S.-owned, -crewed and -built.”

Port Person Of The Year

In presenting the Port Person of the Year award to O’Connell, King said it is awarded to a nominee who has made notable contributions to the Paducah port community, demonstrated support through marine-related functions and has been an advocate for the marine industry.

“The sweat equity made her a clear choice,” he said of O’Connell, who started her career in the river industry in 1974, 50 years ago.

O’Connell worked at Walker Boat Yard from 1974 to 1991, serving in positions including receptionist, billing clerk, accounting supervisor and credit and collections manager. She came to Tennessee Valley Towing as office manager in 1991. At the time, the company was led by Bill Dyer. In 2004, the company named the mv. Lillie Gail after O’Connell and another employee, Lillie Knight.

O’Connell continues to work with the Tennessee Valley Towing and James Marine teams as office manager. King said he had been told that when people ask when she is going to retire, she says, “I will be here until I fall out of my chair.”

O’Connell’s involvement with the Propeller Club began in 1981, when Ronnie James, then Walker Midstream manager and now owner of James Marine, asked her if she would help him if he was elected as president of the club. She has been a member ever since, serving in roles that have included board member, committee chair, secretary and treasurer.

In accepting the award, O’Connell thanked those who had been involved in her career over the years, adding, “You’ll never find a more family-oriented business than the river business.”

Maritime Person Of The Year

Sonny Smith, a club board member and past international president, presented the Maritime Person of the Year award to Calhoun, who serves as WCI’s senior vice president and also as the secretary of the National Waterways Foundation.

Calhoun has been involved in WCI, a Washington, DC-based public policy organization that advocates and lobbies for inland waterways interests, since its inception in 2003. WCI’s mission closely matches that of the Propeller Club, especially when it comes to calling for effective funding for the modernization and maintenance of infrastructure, including locks and dams, Smith said.

He called Calhoun “a walking, talking bibliography of facts and figures regarding the river system” and “a tireless advocate.”

“Her message is one that’s vital to Paducah, it’s vital to Kentucky, and it’s vital to our nation,” Smith said.

He also praised her for bringing WCI’s Waterways Symposium to Paducah for the first time in 2022 and bringing representatives from the German Ministry of Transport to the city to meet with inland maritime industry leaders the same year.

Calhoun and her husband, Rick, who was involved in the river industry more than 40 years before his retirement, moved to Paducah in 2020.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Calhoun said. “I am honored to be a part of this community.”

Caption for top photo: Sonny Smith presents the Port of Paducah Propeller Club’s Maritime Person of the Year award to Deb Calhoun. (Photo by Shelley Byrne)