associated wire - news & updates from associated terminals winter, 2006 'camp katrina

8/8/2019 Associated Wire - News & Updates from Associated Terminals Winter, 2006 'Camp Katrina'

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Camp Katrina:

Port of St. Bernard Serves

as Ground Zero for

St. Bernard Parish

Rescue Operations

Associated Terminals Plays Vital Role

Four months after the storm, Associated

Terminals president David Fennelly reflects

on the events immediately following the

landfall of Hurricane Katrina. It was surreal.You had choppers landing in the terminal.

You had the Navy and National Guard there.

Our office building had been commandeered

by the SWAT team from St. Bernard Parish.

There were times when your mind would slip

away and you would

think this is not

Chalmette Slip.

When Hurricane

Katrinas eye made

landfall at Buras, La.,

just 60 miles south-

east of the

Associated Terminals

facilities at the Port

of St. Bernard,

Fennelly knew life

would change for the

company and employees. What he didnt

know at the time was how lives would be

forever changed.

In anticipation of Katrinas arrival, Associated

Terminals management team triggered their

hurricane emergency plan. The terminal at

Chalmette Slip was evacuated and equip-

ment was either secured or removed from

the facility. We totally evacuated from

Chalmette. We did not have any people at

the terminal. We have a very good and strin-

gent evacuation plan which worked very

well. It secures all of the equipment, all of the

cargo, all of our property. With a storm this

serious, we werent going to have anybody

remain at the facility, said Associated

Terminals vice president Cy Hill.

Even though Katrina blew through the ter-

minal and surrounding area with winds ofup to 145 miles per hour Associated

Terminals facilities were largely undamaged.

Overall, the facility itself sustained very

minor damage, said Hill.

Chalmette Slip Was High & Dry

A levee which was designed to keep theMississippi Rivers flood water out of resi-

dential areas protected the terminal fromstorm surge.

The rising floodwaters that destroyed so

News & Updates from Associated Terminals

Winter, 2006assoc ia ted wire

See CAMP KATRINA, page 3

URRICANE KATRINA EDITION

Port of South Louisiana

Escapes Storms Wrath

The Port of South Louisianas Globalplex Terminal weathered

Hurricane Katrina with minimal damage, in large part due to

its upriver location. All stevedoring equipment on the dock

and at the terminal area, and all warehouses and transit

sheds, sustained no damage during the storm.

In fact, the intra-modal facility was fully operational within

days of Katrinas landfall. When the river reopened to traffic,

we received our first post Katrina vessel at Globalplex. The

M/V Mickie Shall arrived on Sept. 14, 2005 to discharge

17,000 tons of coal. The M/V Viborg arrived on Sept. 20,

2005 to work 4,300 tons of general cargo.

This facility was one of the first general cargo facilities to

resume operations on the lower Mississippi River said Brian

Cox, Terminal Manager at Globalplex. We were able to rede-

ploy equipment and personnel from our Port of St. Bernard

facility which enabled us to staff and equip this

See GLOBALPLEX, back page


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PAGE 3

much of St. Bernard Parish were retained by the levee system thatmade Chalmette Slip one of the only high and dry places left in the

parish of St. Bernard, said general cargo terminal manager BarryHoth. From an equipment point of view, none of our equipment

was damaged by the storm. And it was this high and dry state thatturned Chalmette Slip into Camp Katrina.

After storm surge inundated St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes,

the high ground at Chalmette Slip became a staging site for rescue

operations and a temporary home for thousands of evacuees.

The day after the storm, evacuees started coming into the terminal

by the hundreds, said Fennelly. Some were aware that the facility

was a location that might be dry, but word had quickly spread

through emergency rescue people, as well as the sheriffs depart-

ment, that this area was dry and could be used as an area to bring

people to safety and stage them for further evacuation.

In three days following Katrina, 1,500 to 2,000 evacuees arrived at

Chalmette Slip, the

terminal area and

warehouse. An


barge and charter

vessel were comman-

deered and used to ferry evacuees to high and dry ground across

the Mississippi River at Algiers.

Fennelly recalls the scene, As we stood there with a satellite

phone standing there trying to get a signal with Black Hawks

flying overhead, you just couldnt believe it!

CAMP KATRINA, from page 1

Post Katrina Priority:

Providing Jobs and

Housing to AssociatedTerminals Employees

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane

Katrina, Associated Terminals president

David Fennelly said his companys priorities

were clear, Locate our employees.

Hurricane Katrinas devastation was wide and

massive from New Orleans then east to St.

Bernard, Plaquemines and St. Tammany

parishes to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While

Associated Terminals operations at the Port of

St. Bernard, located on higher ground, werespared destruction, the surrounding residen-

tial area and home for many of its employees

was completely destroyed.

Not a single home in St. Bernard Parish was

inhabitable, said Associated Terminals gener-

al cargo manager Barry Hoth. In much of the

parish flood water reached the roof tops of

many homes.

Fennelly was relieved to learn, with the level

of destruction, all of Associateds employees

survived. The grim reality was many of them

were survivors who had lost everything.

Once we were able to contact everyone, the

first question asked was, Do I still have a job?

So many of our employees had lost every-

thing else and they all wondered if we would

still be able to provide them employment,

said Fennelly. We made the commitment in

the early days that if you worked with

Associated Terminals before the storm, you

had a job with Associated Terminals after the

storm,said Fennelly.

That was natural for us. There was no other

option. Employees were relieved to discover

they had work, and we were relieved to hearthat they were safe and could come back.

Once the question of future employment was

resolved, Associated Terminals management

team had to deal with helping provide the

basic necessities of food and housing.

We were totally focused on shelter, food,

water the basics. If a team member felt like

he or she could go to work, the company

certainly needed everyone available. But their

well-being was the most important focus in

the first weeks after the storm, said Fennelly.

With more than 200,000 people dislocated inthe metro-New Orleans area, providing shel-

ter was not going to be easy.

See HOUSING ASSISTANCE, page 4


warehouse and cargo sheds

at the Port of St. Bernard

sustained minimal damage

during Hurricane Katrina.


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PAGE 4

HOUSING ASSISTANCE, from page 3

Enter Rev. Chris Garrett. As port chaplain for Global Maritime

Ministries, Inc., Rev. Garretts mission is

to provide for the needs of seafarers

and those who work in the port. Rev.

Chris, as Fennelly calls him, didnt

have to come far to help. Global

Maritime Ministries seamens center

is located on Highway 44 in Reserve,

La., next door to Associated

Terminals headquarters. We are rec-

ognized as the port chaplains, and

are available in times of crisis or

when there is nowhere else to turn ,

said Rev. Garrett.

Global Maritime Ministries was able to

provide sleeping accommodations for

24 workers and serve up to 150 meals

per day. Rev. Garrett said they were

able to assist because they received a

lot of help. We had volunteers from

all over the country. They brought

money, food even a trailer load of

eggs from north Alabama.

People were calling, asking whats

your plan? We need to get together,

said Rev. Garrett. Everybody pulled together. We received contribu-

tions from churches in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia,Alabama and Florida.

Fennelly also was moved by the generous assistance from customers.

The outpouring of support was just amazing. Many contacted us

via email, phone messages or through friends. Some customers sent

containers full of supplies, trucks loaded with mattresses and sheets

and pillows, jumpsuits, work boots and jackets.

Many of them sent unsolicited checks in the thousands of dollars, to

help and support the employees of this company. This type of sup-

port speaks volumes about the employees of this company and how

our customers respected the level of service we provide.

The post-Katrina experience has helped create a new bond between

employer and employee. There were friendships that became deeperand better through this experience that will never be severed by any

storm or any challenge that we could be faced with again. When you

work with a group of people that are this caring and this concerned

about each other, it is humbling and flattering to be part of a team like

that. It crossed every category, every locationfrom the unaffected

to those who literally lost everything,said Fennelly.

Are we better? Absolutely.

Are we stronger? Without a shadow of a doubt.

Will we survive? Of course we will.

BASIC NECESSITIES KEEP TERMINALS WORKING

Some Associated Terminals employees live on board theM/V Cape Vincent in these modular trailers. The ships captain (below,

at right) is in charge of a crew of 25 who tend to the vesseland feed its bunk mates at Chalmette Slip.

The Angel Next Door ev. Chris Garrett, who ministers at Global Maritime

Ministries in Reserve, LA, provided housing and

mmediate assistance to Associated Terminals.


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PAGE 5

Associated Terminalsbusiness operations resumed regular and

steady service quickly following Hurricane Katrina.

Although initially used as a base for rescue operations, the Port

of St. Bernard terminal received very little damage.

Stevedoring operations were relocated to other locations, including

the Globalplex Terminal at the Port of South Louisiana (see related story

about that facility, page 1). Associated Terminals workforce survived the

storm and today, is back on the job.

We are 100 percent committed to the Chalmette facility, the Port

of St. Bernard. Our activities there could help build and restart

that economic engine in St. Bernard. The port will play an intri-cate part in the rebuilding of the parish in terms of supplies and

equipment needed in that rebuilding process, said Terminal

Manager Zeljko Franks.

The St. Bernard terminal, which reopened in early November,

handled more than 30 vessels by the end of the year said

Franks. We resumed operations there on the first day of

November. Once we secured the facility and made it a safe

environment to work in, we started redeploying equipment

and designating vessels to the Chalmette locations.

Stevedores, clerks and shipping

agents meet to conduct business at

Associated Terminals sheds near the

Chalmette Slip. Soon after Hurricane

Katrina swept through the area,

Associated Terminals was back in

force, and able to handle its usual

mix of breakbulk and bulk cargoes

on the Mississippi River.

Plywood being used to rebuild many

of the homes and businesses in the

New Orleans area is one of the most

frequently seen commodities recently

at the wharves.

Cargo Operations Return to Normal

for Associated Terminals at Ports of

St. Bernard And South Louisiana


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PAGE 6

MARAD Vessel

M/V Cape Vincent

Supplies TemporaryHousing Assistance

If commerce was to resume at

the Port of St. Bernard follow-

ing Hurricane Katrina, basic

needs had to be met. Like

many businesses in the hurri-

cane zone, Associated faced the

worker/housing dilemma. Its

workforce is ready and willing

to return to work, but without

housing they may not be able

to do so.

Following the storm, Associated

Terminals management team

was able to house some of its

employees at the Global

Maritime Ministries seamans

center in Reserve, La., and

secure housing at other loca-

tions. The most desirable solution was to

provide housing at the terminal.

The answer arrived in early October, when the

MV Cape Vincent docked at Chalmette Slip.

The M/V Cape Vincentis part of the Maritime

Administrations (MARAD) Ready Reserve

Force Ship fleet. MARAD, which is part of the

Department of Transportation, owns the

ships. With the help of private sector ship

managers, MARAD maintains the ships for

rapid activation and service in support of

the Department of Defense.

In this case the M/V Cape Vincentis on a

unique domestic mission. Its role is to sup-

port the Port of St. Bernard.

Under the command of Capt. David Scott,

the ship is housing FEMA travel trailers whi

house those people working at the Port of

Bernard. This is the first time weve brough

housing in the form of trailers onto a MARA

vessel, said Scott.The vessel also provides meals for dislocate

workers at the Port. This service is vital as

there are few places to eat in St. Bernard

Parish, said Associateds Barry Hoth.

The M/V Cape Vincent arrived at Chalmett

Slip from its homeport in Beaumont, Texas,

where Capt. Scott said the vessel survived

Hurricane Rita. While docked in the harbo

the vessel withstood 165 mile an hour wind

We didnt feel a thing.

The M/V Cape Vincent is one of the Military Sealift Comm

31 Roll-on/Roll-off vessels. The 28,000 ton ship is 639-feet

83-feet wide, and can be activated in five days or

The Cape Vincent is being used to house Associated Term

stevedores at the Port of St. Bernards Chalmette

Fund-Raising Event Takes on New MeaningFor AT Employees In Post-Katrina Environment

Despite enduring severe hardship due to Hurricane Katrina

Associated Terminals employees have once again sacrificed, digging

deep into their pockets to help neighbors in need. This year, employ-

ees have donated $15,000 to Associated Efforts. Each year Associated

Efforts, a non-profit company formed by Associated Terminals employ-

ees in 1997, provides Christmas presents to children and families who

are less fortunate.

Each November at the companys Digging for Kids event, employees

donate portions of their earnings to go to Associateds efforts.

Employees donations are voluntary and anonymous.

This year families need more than ever before, said Associated

Terminals Senior Vice President Gary Poirrier. The incredible thing is

that so many of our employees who contributed had experienced

huge losses of their own.

More than 300 bicycles were purchased with the donated money.

These gifts went to children in the River Parishes, St. Bernard and

Plaquemines Parishes.

This is another example of how our Associated Terminals family ha

rallied to assist their neighbors after the storm, said Poirrier. It is th

spirit that will help all of us overcome the tragedy and loss so many

of us have experienced.

This is the first time

weve brought housing in

the form of trailers onto a

MARAD vessel.Capt. David Scott


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PAGE 7

Associated Terminals partnered

the Port of St. Bernard and Spru

Instant Structures, a Calgary, Al

Canada firm to install a 6,000 sq

foot canvas tent adjacent to the

at the terminal facility.

Sprung contacted St. Bernard P

officials, who in turn contacted

Associated to see if this buildin

could be put to good use follow

Hurricane Katrina. Associated

Terminals outfitted the structur

with pool and ping pong tables

dart boards, a wide screen sate

television, sofas and chairs.

Lack of Local Amenities Prompts Associated to Create

Rec Center for Employees Housed at Port of St. Bernard



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ASSOCIATED TERMINALS, LLC1342 Highway 44

Reserve, Louisiana 70084

terminal under the most difficult of c ircumstances soon after the storm.

Sure, we had tremendous challenges in those early days, Cox said. But thats what sets us apart, our

willingness to come together as a team and the tremendous flexibility our company has established atfacilities in the U.S. Gulf.

The Port of South Louisianas support of our company, its commitment to the port facilities and its

willingness to accommodate shippers, receivers and displaced businesses, should be highly com-

mended, said David Fennelly, President of Associated Terminals.

Port staff led by Port Director Judge Joel Chaisson reached far and wide in an attempt to accommodate

each and every need as it arose during the difficult weeks that followed this storm. Judge Chaisson's

expressed deep concern for everyone affected by this storm, either on an individual or a business level.

We are most grateful to the Port of South Louisiana and its staff, said Fennelly.

This partnership between the Port of South Louisiana and

Associated Terminals also has allowed the shipping com-

munity to realize a unique opportunity at Golbalplex. The

facility features two gantry cranes, extensive open andcovered storage areas, and the use of floating cranes. Prior

to the storm, the facility was well respected in the mar-

itime community, but post-storm, the Globalplex facility

has garnered praise.

As the largest Port in the country (per annual tonnage

volume handled), the Port of South Louisiana, also was

one of the first to assist its neighboring port authorities

with post-storm aid. Port officials deployed the new Port

Security Vessel Accardo, numerous times in the post-

Katrina days. The vessel and its crew tended to fire-fight-

ing duties and emergency transportation needs immediately following the storm. This vessel is one of

the newest and most well equipped response vessels operating on the lower Mississippi.

The PSV Accardo afforded St. Bernard Port officials with their first visit to their storm-damaged facili-ties. There was no other way to get to our port, said Dr. Robert Scafidel, Director of the Port of St.

Bernard. And we are very thankful to our upriver neighbors for their assistance in our time of need.

We say thanks to J udge Chassion and his staff for their kindness and support, said Scafidel. We are

faced with many challenges now, but with the support and assistance that our neighbors have shown,

we are confident that we will emerge as a better port jurisdiction, as part of the greatest group of ports

anywhere in the world.

GLOBALPLEX, from page 1

The Port of South Louisianas Globalplex facility weathered Hurricane Katrina without any damage. In fa

Associated Terminals was in operation at Globalplex as soon as vessel traffic was reopened on the Missis

River. Associated and the Port of South Louisiana worked together to provide assistance and support to t

neighboring port authorities in the immediate days following the storm.

associated wire - news & updates from associated terminals winter, 2006 'camp katrina

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