Canal Barge Christens 400-Foot Deck Barge Triton
Canal Barge Company christened the Triton September 30 at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, La., adding a 400-foot deck barge built for offshore project work and oversized cargo movements.
The ceremony recognized the shipbuilders who completed the barge, the longstanding relationship between Canal Barge and Conrad and another generation of the Tennant family’s involvement in the marine industry. Amy Tennant Gasvoda served as sponsor of the vessel, which was delivered ahead of an assignment for Foss Maritime.
Robert Sampey, senior vice president of business development for Conrad Shipyard, opened the ceremony by asking employees of the Deepwater South yard, including engineers, to gather for recognition. He said September 30 had been the target throughout the project and credited the yard’s employees with maintaining confidence in the delivery schedule.
“Thank you very, very much for the hard work,” Sampey said.
Following a safety briefing and the Pledge of Allegiance, Sampey introduced Daniel T. Conrad, senior vice president and director of Conrad Shipyard. Conrad credited employees from both companies with bringing the project to completion and outlined the shipyard’s five core values: safety, quality, craftsmanship, integrity and service.
“Safety is our foundation,” Conrad said. “Nothing we build is more important than ensuring our employees return home safely each day.”
H. Merritt Lane III, president and CEO of Canal Barge, said the delivery carried particular importance because of the barge’s upcoming work. Confidence that Conrad would meet the schedule allowed Canal Barge to commit its other 400-foot deck barge, the Oceanus, to a separate conversion project.
That coordination, Lane said, allowed the company to serve two customers on two exceptional projects.
Lane also recalled visiting the elder Conrad during his early years in the business and described a relationship between the companies that has continued across generations. He thanked the Conrad family and shipyard employees for their care, craftsmanship and professionalism.
Family Partnerships
Lane said the Triton is the seventh largest barge in Canal Barge’s partnership with Joseph Tennant and his family. Tennant, president of Pacific Marine Leasing Inc., spoke on behalf of his daughter, the vessel’s sponsor.
Gasvoda grew up with both sides of her family involved in the marine business. She graduated from Georgetown University, worked in healthcare and federal consulting in Washington, D.C. and later returned to work in her family’s business.
Gasvoda arrived at the christening shortly after another milestone: her wedding two weeks earlier and a European honeymoon.
Tennant told attendees that his family’s relationship with Foss extended more than 60 years. His father partnered with Foss on barge construction in the 1960s, and Tennant worked two college summers as a deckhand aboard Foss tugs.
“I think these multi-generational relationships are very important in the maritime industry, and I’m happy and proud that our daughter, Amy, is working with me today,” Tennant said.
He also offered a lighter account of preparing his daughter for her role as sponsor.
“The only bit of advice I gave Amy before she departed on her honeymoon was don’t practice swinging the champagne bottle on your new husband,” he said.
The Rev. Grace Pardun, supervisory chaplain with Seamen’s Church Institute, delivered the invocation and led the blessing. Drawing on the Gospel of Mark’s account of Jesus calming a storm, she spoke about the demands of maritime work, from emergencies and difficult logistics to customer expectations.
“Don’t lose sight of your reason of why you are here,” Pardun said.
Following the christening, Sampey introduced the paperwork transferring ownership to Canal Barge, with Tennant to sign and present a check to Conrad.
“Not every time we have a ceremony like this does the timing work out perfectly,” Sampey said, noting that delivery, signing the paperwork and payment could all take place in one day.
In his closing remarks, Sampey thanked the Canal Barge team and recognized the cooperation among CBC Vice President of Marketing (Deck Cargo Services) Blake Heflin, Conrad Vice President (Sales and Marketing) Robert Socha, CBC Manager of Vessel Engineering Mike Stone and himself in completing the project. He wished the Triton and those serving aboard it many years of safe and successful service. He thanked attendees for joining the celebration.
Looking toward the shipyard’s next project, Sampey closed with a question: “And I only have two words after this whole thing is ‘What’s next?’”
Pardun concluded with a blessing for those gathered, who were then invited to stay for refreshments and visit with one another.
Vessel Specs
Built as Conrad hull C-1395, the Triton measures 400 feet long by 105 feet wide, with a hull height of 25 feet. It has a uniform deck strength of 4,200 pounds per square foot. According to Canal Barge, it is the newest 400-foot-class deck barge built on the Gulf Coast and the first of its size constructed with Conrad’s proprietary ring design.
The addition supports Canal Barge’s deck cargo services for engineering, power generation, nuclear, construction, oil and gas and government customers.
“Our project cargo work demands flexibility, careful planning and dependable execution,” Heflin said in the delivery announcement. “Triton strengthens our ability to deliver customized marine transportation solutions for complex cargo movements, backed by the experience of our project management team and mariners.”
Featured photo caption: Amy Tennant Gasvoda, sponsor of the Triton, breaks a champagne bottle to christen the barge September 30 at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, La. A long temporary stairway provided access to the deck atop the barge’s 25-foot-high hull. (Photo by Robert Socha)
