News: Bisso Honors Capt. Hohensee

E.N. Bisso & Son, Inc., New Orleans, recently honored Captain Albert Hohensee, Jr. of Princeton, La. By naming a tug after him and appointing him Commodore of the company's fleet.

Capt. Hohensee joined E.N. Bisso on February 28, 1945, eight days after his 13th birthday, back in a time when the company was primarily engaged in ferryboat operations. The tugboat portion of the company was named Victory Towing, in anticipation of a win in World War II.

Hohensee started at the bottom, but rose to the top, becoming one of the company's highly skilled, licensed captains. In more service to the company over seven decades, he is credited with training countless others in the art of boat handling, covering a wide range of Mississippi River conditions. In turn, many of these individuals became Mississippi River Pilots, with others staying with the company to command its fleet of modern, sophisticated tugs.

"As a current employee, it is a rare and special thing to have a tug named after you," said Walter Kristiansen, president and CEO. "But there could be no more fitting honor to recognize Albert's nearly 58 years of service to the company and maritime industry."

In addition to having a tug named after him, Hohensee was formally recognized as the company's Commodore. According to the citation appointing him Commodore, Hohensee is entitled "to the full honor and respect earned by his service" and to be addressed as Commodore, and to "fly his personal flag on tugs on which he is embarked."

The Port of New Orleans, represented by Bobby Landry, also recognized Hohensee's service by naming him Honorary Harbor master of the Port of New Orleans. Two of Commodore Hohensee's sons work for E.N. Bisso, and together posses more than 48 years of service. His grandson, also a Captain, has been with the company for more than 13 years. In attendance at the event honoring the Captain was his 96-year-old father, Albert Hohensee, Sr., who worked for the company for more than 30 years.

"While we have the best tugboats on the river, we rely on the skills of all of our employees to deliver the quality of service that our customers require. Commodore Hohensee has been a primary source of ensuring that those top notch skills are passed on," Kristiansen added.