Maritime Partners Christens The Mv. Ashley Anne

Watching vessels like the mv. Ashley Anne, christened by Maritime Partners on August 22, work along the Mississippi River and other inland waterways is a study in teamwork, strength, diligence and ingenuity.

These same qualities define Ashley Simon, for whom the Ashley Anne is named. Simon joined the Maritime Partners team in 2021 as an administrative assistant and quickly proved to be an indispensable member of the Maritime Partners family. Her quick rise to the role of chief administrative officer mirrors the rise of Maritime Partners from a startup in 2015 to the owner of a fleet of close to 2,000 vessels today.

Maritime services company E.N. Bisso and Sons hosted the christening at its dock on the Mississippi River near New Orleans’ Audubon Zoo. A reception followed at the Audubon Club in nearby Audubon Park.

The Rev.W. C. Paysse, pastor of St. Dominic Church in New Orleans, opened the gathering by recounting a boat-related story from the gospel of Matthew. Paysse shared how Jesus calmed the storm-tossed Sea of Galilee with only his words and saved his disciples and their boat from sinking. Later,  Paysee prayed a prayer of blessing and protection over the Ashley Anne and those who serve on its crew.

“Bless this boat, its equipment and all who will use it,” Paysse said. “Bless those who brought this boat to life, to serve our nation, to serve our local community of commerce, protect them from the dangers of wind and rain and all the perils of the deep. May Christ, who calmed the storm and filled the nets of his disciples, bring us all to the harbor of life and peace.”

Simon: A Leader And Culture Cultivator

During his introduction of Simon, Bick Brooks, co-founder and CEO of Maritime Partners, described her as a leader and culture cultivator. She is an embodiment of hard work, integrity and company values, he said.

“Today is a special day, not only because we are christening the new vessel, but because we get to celebrate the incredible person for whom it is named,” Brooks said. “While our fleet value is a measure of success, our company has always been built on innovation, perseverance and, above all, people.”

According to Brooks, Simon poured herself into the company from day one. He commended her as a consummate team player who always puts the success of the firm and her co-workers above her own interests. Simon’s ability to innovate and problem -solve made her indispensable and led to a significant promotion, Brooks said.

“Her sharp skill set, her drive and her standards of excellence carried her forward until she became our chief administrative officer, a role we desperately needed,” he said. “She fills [the role] with unmatched grace and grit. Simply put, there is nothing Ashley can’t do.”

Brooks also acknowledged the wide range of work assigned to Simon. In addition to overseeing the daily administrative work at Maritime Partners, Simon manages IT troubleshooting and scheduling and plans events of all sizes, from birthday parties to the company’s Super Bowl event in February.

“I’m sure when she signed up to work with Maritime Partners she did not expect to be negotiating performance fees with Rick Ross,” Brooks said.

Not only did Simon win the negotiations with the media mogul, she also shined as an event planner.

“She has a way of turning the ordinary into something extraordinary,” Brooks said. “Her events, they aren’t just gatherings. They’re experiences, memorable, meaningful and always reflective of her incredible eye for detail and care for people. Our Super Bowl party was certainly a testament that Ashley is more than a planner, more than a leader. She’s a culture cultivator.”

Simon thanked Maritime Partners for naming the boat in her honor and acknowledged the team effort required to keep the maritime industry afloat. She expressed esteem for the maritime industry and her gratefulness to play a role in the community.

“There’s something remarkable about the maritime industry as a whole, an enduring, often unseen force that keeps our country running,” Simon said. “From shipyards to rivers to ports, that forms a vast and vital network that powers commerce, connects communities and sustains everyday life. The magic of it lies within its quiet strength.”

Despite her varied tasks, Simon finds ways to put people first. Her focus on others is contagious and is helping shape the corporate culture at Maritime Partners.

“It’s not just what we do. It’s how we do it that makes Maritime Partners so special, but our company is just a very small part of an industry that stretches far beyond our doors,” Simon said. “The Ashley Anne is more than steel and paint. She’s the product of incredible talent, hard work and craftsmanship. Every bolt, every weld, every detail, is the result of people who take pride in what they do.”

Simon punctuated her remarks of gratitude with a truism that she often repeats at Maritime Partners: “Loved people love well.”

The Mv. Ashley Anne

The Entech-designed mv. Ashley Anne is the 12th of a 12-boat series Harvey, La.-based FMT Shipyard & Repair LLC has built for Maritime Partners. The Ashley Anne measures 67.5 feet by 29 feet with a depth of 9 feet, 6 inches. The vessel’s 1,600 hp. comes from a pair of Mitsubishi S6R2-Y3MPTAW Tier 3 marine diesel engines from Laborde Products. The main engines turn 74-inch by 63-inch D-style CF-3 stainless steel propellers from Hung Shen Marine through Reintjes WAF 563L gearboxes (7.091:1 reduction) from Karl Senner Inc. Louisiana CAT supplied the Ashley Anne’s two Caterpillar C4.4 75 kw. generators. The Ashley Anne’s shaft seals and bearings are by Thordon Bearings Inc.

R.W. Fernstrum & Company supplied the vessel’s grid coolers, while Eagle Controls Systems supplied the engine alarms. Eagle Hydraulic Services supplied the 1,600 hp.  dual-pump steering system. The Ashley Anne features an Ahead wastewater treatment system; a pair of Patterson 40-ton deck winches; flooring, paneling and ceilings by National Marine Carpentry and an electronics package from Wheelhouse Electronics.

Fendering is by Schuyler Maritime. Resilient engine mounts are by Christie & Grey Inc. Paint aboard the vessel is from Coating System and Supply and applied by Coating Services Inc.

Outfitted for a crew of eight, the quarters include four staterooms with double bunks and two full bathrooms. The galley includes an electric range, refrigerator/freezer combo, a standalone freezer, trash compactor and ice maker, all supplied by National Marine Carpentry.

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Featured photo caption: Ashley Simon and Maritime Partners CEO Bick Brooks (Courtesy of Maritime Partners)