Blessey Honors Captain With Namesake Vessel

New Orleans-based Blessey Marine Services held a christening ceremony September 4 for the mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia, named for a longtime captain who’s been with the company more than 26 years.

Capt. Jacob Garcia, born and raised in Falfurrias, Texas, near Corpus Christi, Texas, started with Blessey Marine on April 13, 1999, when he was 26 years old. He spent close to 10 years as a tankerman with the company, learning all aspects of barge and vessel operations.

Garcia said it was around that 10-year mark with Blessey that he knew without a doubt that he not only wanted to make a career out of working on the river but also wanted to move into the wheelhouse.

“Once I made up my mind that I wanted to be a wheelman, I knew I wanted to be a captain,” Garcia said. “It’s challenging, but I like it. I like the responsibility.”

Garcia served as pilot aboard the mv. Walter Blessey Sr. and later was promoted to relief captain on that vessel. He was lead captain aboard the mv. Thomas E. Rollins and has been captain aboard the mv. Gov. Mike Huckabee since 2021.

“Now after 26 years with our company, he has spent more than half his life with our Blessey family,” Blessey Marine President and CEO Clark Todd said. “Jacob credits captains Rusty Hill and Wayne Mosley as mentors to him throughout his career, and I know he misses both of them, as we do.”

Garcia said the mentorship of Hill and Mosley went far beyond the mechanics of piloting a towboat.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” he said. “Rusty and Wayne taught me what it meant to be a real mariner and a leader. I carry their lessons with me every day. I know they’re looking down, proud of the man and captain I’ve become.”

Garcia, in turn, has served as a mentor and role model for several younger mariners at Blessey Marine, including Mark Broxson, Shannon Lowery and Mirian Apkhazava.

Garcia said it’s important for mariners who want to move into the wheelhouse to be patient and take their time.

“Don’t rush it,” he said. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing on the deck, and that means more than just the fundamentals.”

Knowing all aspects of how the towboat works doesn’t just make the captain a better leader. It also is crucial for crew safety, he said.

Garcia said it was only about four months ago that he found out Blessey Marine was naming a boat after him. He said hearing the news from Todd was exciting and made him proud

“I’ve been out here almost 30 years, so it kind of made me feel old, too,” he said.

Garcia, who said his mother died about three months ago, celebrated the fact that his father, Hector, was able to attend the christening and see the mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia.

“For him to go out on the vessel and get a better understanding of what I do, it was really nice,” he said.

Garcia admitted he was a little nervous about breaking the bottle of champagne over the rail to christen the vessel.

“But I broke it the first time,” he said. “To do it myself was a unique experience.”

Garcia said the mv. Gov. Mike Huckabee primarily pushes tank barges between Houston and New Orleans. He’s not sure where the mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia will work, but he nonetheless said he looks forward to hearing his name on the radio.

More About The Mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia

The mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia was built at Vessel Repair in Port Arthur, Texas, based on a Sterling Marine design. The vessel measures 88 feet by 32 feet, with an 11.8-foot depth and a draft of 8 feet, 9 inches. The pilothouse eye level is 34 feet, 6 inches.

The Capt. Jacob Garcia is built on Vessel Repair’s Pacesetter design, which is a patented hull and patented flanking rudder system. The hull is a combination single chine and double chine design to increase towing performance and fuel efficiency. The vessel’s asymmetrical flanking rudders accomplish the same.

The 2,000 hp. vessel features a pair of Cummins QSK-38 main engines from Cummins Sales and Service and Reintjes WAF 573L gearboxes from Karl Senner LLC. The engines turn Sound Dominator propellers from Bauman Propeller. Seals and bearings are by Thordon, while shafts are by R.C. Schmidt and Sons. Service power comes from a pair of 99 kw. John Deere generators from MSI. The vessel’s Dura Weld keel coolers are from East Park Radiator. Engine alarms are by Baton Rouge Marine Electronics, and the electric over hydraulic steering system is by Custom Hydraulics.

Tankage aboard the mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia includes 33,200 gallons of fuel, 750 gallons of lube oil, 750 gallons of waste oil, 3,175 gallons of fresh water and 14,000 gallons of wash water. The vessel’s potable water tank is made of 316 stainless steel to enhance purity and create a maintenance free water supply. The waste water treatment system aboard the vessel is from Sea Horse Manufacturing.

On deck, the mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia features a pair of 60-ton electric Patterson winches and a Schoellhorn-Albrecht capstan.

The crew lounge includes a 6-foot-wide exterior window. The vessel also features five oversized staterooms, including a dedicated captain’s quarters, three full bathrooms and one half bath.

Wood River Electronics supplied all the electronics and communications equipment aboard the boat. Fire suppression is by Hiller Offshore, and Thermal Marine supplied the Rockwool insulation throughout the vessel.

Fendering on the vessel is by Schuyler Maritime, and paint is by Coating Systems and Supply.

According to Todd, the mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia brings Blessey Marine’s fleet of towboats to around 82. The company also owns 177 barges. Over the course of the company’s 47 years, Blessey Marine has christened a total of 95 vessels. From in 1978 when founder Walter Blessey began operating his own assets to today, one thing has remained constant, Todd said.

“We have always put our mariners first,” he said, “giving them first-class accommodations and treating everyone like family. We take great pride in our vessels and our crews, and I am proud to say that we now have yet another vessel named after our great vessel employees.”

Todd also thanked Kurt Moerbe, vice president of Vessel Repair.

“What a beautiful vessel,” Todd said. “Kurt, thank you so much for the incredible craftsmanship from you and your entire team. A special thank you to the Vessel Repair team that worked tirelessly to deliver this vessel to our family.”

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Featured photo caption: The mv. Capt. Jacob Garcia moored at the New Orleans riverfront. (Photos courtesy of Blessey Marine Services)