Fred Bouchard News

The ocean-going petroleum barge company Bouchard Transportation said that ATB tug M/V Evening Breeze was launched at US-based medium-sized ships builder VT Halter Marine's Pascagoula shipyard.The launch of the M/V Evening Breeze marks a milestone achievement in Bouchard’s most recent expansion efforts; with the launch of sister ATB tug M/V Evening Stroll not far behind.Bouchard’s Safety First philosophy remains at the forefront of their operation, and is powerfully supported through VT Halter Marine, Inc.’s ability to help advance their fleet with the most innovative technologies.Bouchard is dedicated to offering a safe work environment for their crew and a reliable service to their customers…

Bouchard Transportation Co. launches Liberty Ship S.S. Frederick Bouchard in November 1944. Built in memory of Capt. Fred Bouchard, the vessel is then christened by his wife, Ellen S. Bouchard. #BTC100    The July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will feature a special “Bouchard Transportation Co. Celebrates 100 Years” magazine. For more information contact: Greg Trauthwein, [email protected], t. 516-810-7405.

Bouchard Transportation Co. acquires its first oil barge, a sunken 15,000 barrel vessel, which Capt. Fred Bouchard purchased for $100. After raising this vessel, he towed it from Jacksonville, FL, to a Norfolk, VA, shipyard, where it was then converted to a hot oil system oil barge and named the John Frederick. #BTC100  The July 2018 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News will feature a special “Bouchard Transportation Co. Celebrates 100 Years” magazine. For more information contact: Greg Trauthwein, [email protected], t. 516-810-7405.

Bouchard Transportation Co. began as a “True American Story,” when its founder, Capt. Fred Bouchard, formed the company with an award in the form of a $9,000 check he received from U.S. District Court. The award, which was given to Capt. Fred for personal bravery and rescue efforts during the infamous Black Tom Explosion, was also in part for his ability to salvage the 4,000-ton Brazilian steamer Tijoca Rio and the schooner George E. Elezy, of Bath, Maine. It was with this money that he founded Bouchard Transportation Co.…

On Wednesday, June 7, 2017 the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) awarded 43 Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. operating vessels the Jones F. Devlin Award, recognizing their safety achievements in 2016. These 43 vessels operated a total of 364 years with no lost-time injuries. The CSA grants Devlin Award certificates each year to manned merchant vessels that have operated for two or more years without incurring a Lost Time Injury (LTI). “Bouchard continues to hold safety as a top priority…

The hallmarks of a successful vessel operator are the same whether they are carrying liquid, physical or human cargo: A laser focus on safety, a twin commitment to customers and crew, and the vision to embrace and invest in the future. However obvious the bar, it is not easy to meet. “I don’t think there is any magic formula,” says Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services, Crowley Marine Solutions. “The difference is that everything we work on regards providing a high quality of service to customers, pays off. In a rising market, it’s easy to do well.

The Chamber of Shipping of America awarded thirty- nine (39) Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. operating vessels the Jones F. Devlin Award, at the Annual Safety Awards Luncheon in New Orleans, LA. This award further symbolizes Bouchard’s dedicated commitment to safety, and is a true testament to the hard work and devotion their crew and safety department put forth every day to ensure Bouchard always operates safely. B. No. B. No. M/V Barbara E. M/V J. B. No. B. No. B. No. B. No. M/V Marion C. B. No. B. No. M/V Brendan J. M/V Morton S. B. No. B. No. M/V Ralph E. B. No. B. No. M/V Rhea I. B. No. B. No. M/V Danielle M. M/V Robert J. B. No. B. No. M/V Ellen S. B. No. B. No. B. No. B. No. B. No.

VT Halter Marine, Inc. (VT Halter Marine), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), announces the launch of the M/V Frederick E. Bouchard, at its Moss Point Marine Shipyard Facility in Escatawpa, Mississippi on Thursday, March 31, 2016. M/V Frederick E. Bouchard is the second of two 6,000hp Twin Screw Articulated (ATB) tugs constructed for Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc. (Bouchard Transportation) under a two-vessel contract awarded to VT Halter Marine in August 2014. Both M/V Frederick E. Bouchard and the M/V Morton S. Bouchard Jr. measures, 130 feet by 38 feet by 22 feet, are classed by ABS as A1 Ocean Towing, Dual Mode ATB, USCG Subchapter C, and is equipped with an Intercon Coupler System.

Bouchard Transportation’s history dates back to its incorporation in 1918 by founder, Capt. Fred Bouchard, the youngest tugboat captain in the Port of New York. Bouchard is a family owned business and the nation’s largest independently-owned ocean-going petroleum barge company. The company’s areas of operation span all four coasts of the United States: East, Gulf, West and Great Lakes. The fleet consists of 25 barges ranging from 25,000 to 252,000 barrels and 21 tugs ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 horsepower.

Independently-owned ocean-going petroleum barge company Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. announced the appointment of Brendan J. Bouchard as VP of Sales and Operations, establishing the fifth generation of the Bouchard family. Bouchard Transportation was started by Brendan J. Bouchard’s great great grandfather, Capt. Fred Bouchard, and passed on down to his great grandfather, Morton S. Bouchard Sr., then to his grandfather Morton S. Bouchard Jr.,  and then to his father, Morton S. Bouchard III,  to whom Brendan will report.

Forty-three Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. vessels have been honored by The Chamber of Shipping America (CSA) with Certificates of Environmental Achievement. The awards, given out on Thursday, November 13, recognize vessels that have operated for two full years or more without an environmental incident. “These commendations are a testament to the hard work of both our safety department and our vessel employees,” said Morton S. Bouchard III, President and CEO of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. “At Bouchard Transportation we have made the safety of our crew and the environment a priority.

America's largest independently owned ocean-going petroleum barge company, Bouchard Transportation, has promoted Michael S. Brady to Executive Vice-President. Mr. Brady will be responsible for health, safety, security, and environmental (HSSE) and oversee vessel maintenance and repair areas of Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., reporting directly to Morton S. Bouchard III, President/CEO. “Mike Brady has proven to be an outstanding leader in HSSE, maintenance, repair and customer service,” said Morton S. Bouchard III, President/CEO, Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. “His expertise and commitment to excellence are vital to our continued growth. Mr. Brady has been with Bouchard Transportation for a total of six years and was most recently the Vice President of the HSSE.

1971- President Richard Nixon signed Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, considered to be most significant legislation in the long history of federal action in this field. The new act repealed most of the Federal Boating Act of 1958 and amended the Motorboat Act of 1940. 1990- The Military Sealift Command began loading equipment and supplies from the Garden City Port in Savannah, Georgia, to support Allied operations during Operation Desert Shield. Coast Guard units, including reservists called-up specifically for this operation, maintained security zones and ensured the safe loading of the vessels. 1993-Three vessels collided at the entrance to Tampa Bay, Florida.

Bollinger Gulf Repair L.L.C., a Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., shipyard, has completed the retrofit of a Bouchard Coastwise Management Co., tug and barge to an articulated (ATB) unit utilizing the Intercon Coupler System. The 446-foot, 125,000 BBL (barrel) black oil Barge B. No.175 which was renamed Barge B. No.275, was transformed from a single hull to double hull vessel to meet the requirements of OPA ‘90. Her stern was modified with the matching Intercon ladder to accept the bow of the 127-foot tug CAPT. FRED BOUCHARD, which was retrofitted with ram assemblies of the Intercon system.

Late last year was a high water mark of sorts in the Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) business. In December, Crowley Maritime of Seattle, Wash. took delivery of their fourth ATB, featuring a 9,280 HP tug and a 155,000 barrel barge. Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. built the barge. and the tug by sister company Marinette Marine, Manitowoc, Mich. At about the same time on the east coast K-Sea Transportation was taking delivery of their fourth ATB unit from Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La. All four of these new units featured new 80,000-100,000 barrel barges and existing tugs fitted with the JAK coupler system. In 2004, ATB construction has slowed a bit, but several companies continue contracting for retrofitted and new ATB units.

Engineering and design work is underway at Bollinger Gulf Repair, New Orleans, for Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc. third retrofit project tug and barge to an ATB unit utilizing the Intercon Coupler System. The 446-ft. 125,000 BBL black oil Barge B No. 175 will be transformed from a singe hull to a double hull vessel to meet the requirements of OPA 90, and the stern will be notched to accept the bow of the 127-ft. tug Capt. Fred Bouchard, which will be retrofitted with the ram assemblies of the Intercon system. New heating coils will be added to the barge’s existing Hot-Oil system and a new ballast system will be installed. A keel cooled Detroit Diesel 8V-71 generator set producing 99 kW will be installed in the tug as back up for powering the Intercon system main generator.

Construction of Articulated Tug Barge units (ATB) continues to occupy a prominent place in the order books of several shipyards. However the pace of current building and back ordered units is not as high as the 2000-2002 period. "It looks like we are in for a little 'breather' for a while," said Allen Craft, senior vice president of Intercontinental Engineering-Manufacturing Corporation, Kansas City, Mo. The company manufactures Intercon, one of the most popular couplers between the tug and the barge, which makes the ATB concept workable. "Vessel Management Services, a division of Crowley Maritime was a major driving force in this market when they had two different yards each built two ATBs with 9,280 hp tugs and 155,000 barrel barges using our couplers," Craft said.