Ingram Christens Two Vessels In Paducah

Ingram Marine Group christened two towboats after longtime employees during a ceremony May 6 in Paducah, Ky.

The mv. Len O’Connor is a new towboat from Houma-La.-based Main Iron Works and is named for Ingram’s director of fleet operations. O’Connor began his career in the river industry in 1985 as a laborer, welder and crane operator, working under the guidance of his father. He joined Midland Enterprises in 1992 as a tankerman and became part of Ingram Barge Company following its acquisition of Midland in 2002.

The mv. Jerry W. Long, previously the J.N. Phillips, is named after Ingram’s director of engineering projects. Long joined Ingram in September 1990 as an inexperienced deckhand aboard the mv. Eileen Bigelow. He advanced through the ranks to become a tankerman and then chief engineer and now oversees major engineering initiatives, including engine overhauls, gear systems, vessel repowers and cabin refurbishments.

“It’s absolutely the highest honor we can give an associate to name a boat after them, and Jerry and Len have done so much for this company and helped to make it a better place,” Orrin Ingram, chairman of Ingram Marine Group and CEO of Ingram Industries, said in his welcoming remarks.

“It’s not uncommon to see Len out in the field with gloves on and life vest secured, working alongside his team and leading by example,” he added. “Both Len and Jerry are dedicated stewards of the river, and we are deeply grateful for their leadership.”

John Roberts, Ingram Marine Group president and CEO, congratulated the honorees and thanked their families for being present.

“Since transitioning shoreside in 2007, Jerry’s unmatched work ethic and technical precision have made him a prime example of ‘The Ingram Way’ in action,” he said. “Jerry and Len are true leaders who have shaped the culture, performance and future of Ingram Marine Group.”

Benny Cenac, owner of Main Iron Works, spoke about his company’s involvement in building the 10-boat series that included the Len O’Connor.

“It’s been a wonderful venture,” he said. “This is the ninth boat of a 10-boat series we’ve built for Ingram, and they’ve been a great group to work with. We do think we’ve built them a beautiful boat, and they’ve done well so far.”

Jerry W. Long

Jason Porter, Ingram’s senior vice president of engineering, barge maintenance and operations, introduced Long, saying he was one of the longest tenured original Ingram associates in not only the engineering group but the entire company. He called him “a jack of all trades and master of most.”

Long has overhauled every Ingram boat the company has had since 2009, he said.

With Long’s shoreside move in 2007, he has also mentored countless associates, Porter said.

“You will not find a more technically competent or knowledgeable engineer in the industry dedicated to keeping towboats making ton-miles,” Porter said. “He always operates with a calm demeanor and a can-do attitude, no matter the challenge presented.”

Long thanked everyone who took the time to come to the ceremony, joking of the engineers in the crowd, “We’re all so clean. We blend in with everybody. We don’t have the diesel smell today.”

He also thanked the company for the way it runs the business and cares for the employees.

“We wear the Ingram logo with pride and honor, and we do that every day,” he said.

The mv. Jerry Long is a 6,800-horsepower, twin-screw towboat. Measuring 166 feet by 42 feet, the vessel is powered by GM 16-645F diesel engines and became part of Ingram’s fleet following the Midland Enterprises acquisition in 2002. It was built in 1969.

Len O’Connor

Russ Lampkins, Ingram’s senior vice president of logistics and customer service, introduced O’Connor, saying he “has been a key leader throughout the evolution of our support services” in Columbus, Ky., St. Louis, Paducah and “everywhere in between.”

Lampkins said O’Connor, who works in Columbus, is always professional and that he never seeks out recognition for himself. He also called him the ultimate problem solver.

“Some people might see Columbus as out of sight, out of mind, but really that is the largest hub for the biggest dry cargo outfit on the inland waterways, and it’s the most pivotal location we have have, given its geographical location,” he said.

O’Connor also is extremely versatile, Lampkins said.

“He can manage a boat,” Lampkins said. “He can run a boat. He can run a crane. He can dispatch. He can respond to hurricanes, high water, low water, ice. We trust Len to do the job and do it right. He’s been doing it for several years, so thank you Len for that.”

O’Connor kept his remarks short, thanking the Ingram family and also Cenac and Main Iron Works for building what he considers the strongest boat of the series.

“I am very humbled to have this beautiful boat named after me,” O’Connor said. “I am a man of few words, but we’re all fortunate to work for a company that recognizes our contributions and rewards us when we do things we should. I’m blessed to work with the mariners who make me look good.”

The mv. Len O’Connor was designed by Ingram Marine Group, Main Iron Works and Ashraf Degedy, PE. The vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 Tier 3 diesel engines, each rated at 800 hp., from Louisiana Cat. The main engines are paired to Reintjes gearboxes and are controlled by a two station Emerson Marex OSIII Control System, supplied by Karl Senner LLC. Houma Machine & Propeller supplied the shafts, the Michigan 76-inch by 62-inch propellers and cutlass bearings. Seals are by Kemel USA with Dale’s Welding EAS-101 pressure regulators.

Southern Power & Equipment supplied a pair of John Deere generators. The vessel’s Duraweld keel coolers are by East Park Radiator, while Eagle Control Systems supplied the 48-point alarm system and steering system. DiSalvo Marine supplied the MSD unit, while Power Specialties supplied the bilge pumps.

Donovan Marine supplied an eight-person Fast unit. The vessel has two bunk rooms on each deck with a set of double bunks in each room and a shared bathroom.

Deck equipment includes two 40-ton Wintech winches and 12 steel roller buttons per side. M&M Bumper supplied the laminated rubber fenders. The Len O’Connor features Furuno electronics and communication equipment, a Ritchie compass, an Alphatron swingmeter, two 15-inch Xenon search lights and a Kahlenberg D2 airhorn.

The Len O’Connor has tankage for 12,000 gallons of fuel and 4,600 gallons of potable water.

Featured photo caption: Courtney O’Connor christens the mv. Len O’Connor as part of a May 6 boat blessing in Paducah, Ky. Looking on is O’Connor’s husband, the namesake, Len O’Connor (right). (Photos courtesy of Ingram Marine Group)