Blessey Christens The Mv. David F. Stone
Blessey Marine Services Inc. recently christened the mv. David F. Stone, honoring one of the company’s longest-serving mariners with a vessel named in recognition of his 35 years of service.
The christening ceremony took place June 24 at Web Fleet in Channelview, Texas, where company leadership, family members, friends and fellow mariners gathered to recognize Capt. David F. Stone and his career with Blessey.
Stone joined Blessey Marine Services on June 20, 1991, as a deckhand aboard the mv. Ann Blessey under Capt. Charles Clark. He advanced to tankerman in 1993 and moved into the wheelhouse in 1996.
Over the course of his career, Stone has served aboard numerous Blessey vessels, including the mv. Ann Blessey, mv. Ruth Blessey, mv. Alton St. Amant, mv. Hugh Monsted, mv. Mary Burke Liles and mv. Laney Blessey. Since 2014, he has served as captain aboard the mv. Clark Todd.
Before joining Blessey, Stone was working in a bar when he met Rusty Hill, who introduced him to the company and helped launch his marine career.
During the ceremony, Stone reflected on the company’s impact on his life.
“I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for Blessey Marine,” Stone said. “Blessey saved my life, and they are my family.”
The program included remarks from Blessey President Clark Todd, presentation of a commemorative gift by Laura Todd, comments from Stone, presentation of a Bible by Chaplain Nancy Simpson and the formal christening of the vessel by Stone, Laney Watkins and Laura Todd.
Todd shared several stories highlighting Stone’s larger-than-life presence. In one, Todd recalled how Stone’s size and stature initially intimidated crewmembers when he first came to work for Blessey, to the point that no one wanted to assign him work. During his first hitch, Stone reportedly spent much of his time waiting because crewmembers were too intimidated to tell him what to do.
Todd also shared a lighter story involving a port captain sent to pick up Stone in a Mazda Miata and the expression on Stone’s face when he realized his 6-foot-5 frame would need to fit inside the compact sports car.
Stone has long said he considers Blessey family. Outside of work, he enjoys riding motorcycles and currently owns seven.
The mv. David F. Stone joins Blessey’s fleet as part of the company’s longstanding practice of recognizing employees whose careers have helped shape its operations. After more than three decades on the inland waterways, Stone’s name is now permanently tied to the fleet where he built his career.
Vessel Specs
The mv. David F. Stone was built by Verret Shipyard. Main engines and generators were supplied by Cummins; reduction gears by Karl Senner LLC; navigation and communications electronics by Wood River Electronics; alarm systems by Baton Rouge Marine Electric; and fire suppression systems by Hiller Systems Inc.
Featured photo caption: Laura Todd and Laney Watkins help to break the bottle across the nameboard of the mv. David F. Stone during the vessel’s christening after the presentation of a Bible by Chaplain Nancy Simpson. (Photos by by Ashley Borocco)
