Merritt Lane Reigns As King Of Carnival
For New Orleans, Carnival is a season of king cakes, parties, parades and, above all, traditions.
One of those traditions, the Lundi Gras meeting of Rex, King of Carnival, and the King of Zulu annually puts a spotlight on the city’s connection to the Mississippi River and the maritime industry. On the evening of Lundi Gras, the Monday before Mardi Gras, the Zulu king and his court board a vessel at the Port of New Orleans’ headquarters and travel to Spanish Plaza, near the French Quarter. The vessel then returns to transport that year’s Rex and his entourage.
This year, though, the towboat and barge industry played a special role in the meeting of the Rex and Zulu kings on Lundi Gras with the mv. Al Sloss, Canal Barge Company’s newest towboat, serving as an escort boat for the Port of New Orleans’ fireboat General Roy S. Kelley, which ferried the kings to Spanish Plaza.
The mv. Al Sloss was on hand to honor this year’s King of Carnival, H. Merritt Lane III, president and CEO of New Orleans-based Canal Barge Company. Upon disembarking from the Port of New Orleans fireboat and addressing members of the media, Lane was quick to draw attention to the region’s maritime industry roots.
“First, I want to thank the Port of New Orleans for providing my transportation to get here by river, which really makes sense for me,” Lane said. “That’s how I’ve made my living for 40 years. My family’s been involved in the boat and barge business.”
Lane thanked the Coast Guard for providing security during the Lundi Gras celebration, then motioned to the mv. Al Sloss.
“It was named after a cousin of mine who passed away from cancer and whose father had also been a king of Rex,” he said. “We thought it was very appropriate for them to be part of our flotilla. Capt. JD Adams and the crew are professional mariners, and I love so much about what they do.”
Lane then took to the stage, declaring a day of merriment in the city and standing alongside Ronald Tassin, the king of Zulu, and New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno.
Canal Barge Company was founded in 1933 by Joseph Merrick Jones, Lane’s grandfather, who served as Rex in 1958. The company now operates more than 900 tank, hopper and deck barges and 49 towboats and includes more than 900 employees. Just last year, Redwood Holdings acquired Canal Barge Company, which is now part of a holding company with Marquette Transportation. Lane continues to lead Canal Barge Company while also serving as CEO of the new holding company.
A longtime and avid member of the Rex organization who grew up catching throws and doubloons that his father threw him during Carnival parades, Lane said reigning as Rex was a joy.
“This was an incredible honor and a special time to share with friends and family,” Lane said. “It was truly an unforgettable experience and a fantastic opportunity to shine a favorable light on our city, our industry and our company. I am extremely grateful for all my teammates throughout the entirety of our operating area for ensuring continuous and safe operations while I attended to my official duties as Rex.”
Featured image caption: H. Merritt Lane, president and CEO of Canal Barge Company and this year’s Rex, King of Carnival, delivers a proclamation at the city of New Orleans’ Lundi Gras celebration February 16, with New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno looking on. (Photo by Frank McCormack)
