See a Slide show of the Glenn S.

By Richard Eberhardt

    Associated Terminals, one of the fastest growing stevedoring companies on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR), christened its eleventh crane barge, the Derrick Barge Glenn S. in a ceremony held on January 5.

    With a pedestal-mounted Gottwald HPK 330 crane, the Glenn S. is also one of the most powerful derrick barges on the River.  The barge measures 270 ft. x 72 ft. x 15 ft.

    Associated Terminals operates the marine facilities at the port of St. Bernard south of New Orleans, the Globalplex Terminal at the Port of South Louisiana and Galveston Bulk Terminal in Galveston, Tex., in addition to eleven mid-stream facilities on the LMR which stretch from mile 58 to 141.

    David Fennelly, President of Associated Terminals, called Glenn Schexnayder, the barge's namesake, the image of Associated Terminals for the company's customers. "Glenn has been the face and voice for our customers all across the United States as well as in countries all over the world," Fennelly said.  "He represents with honor, the excellent work performed daily by his many colleagues at Associated Terminals.  Our customers appreciate his integrity, kindness, and honesty.  They trust his commitment to the pledge that everyone at Associated Terminals places the interests of our customers at the forefront of every decision."

    While there are many more good days at Associated Terminals than bad days, Fennelly said some company officials, at times, resort to choice words when things are just not going right on a job.  But not Schexnayder.

    "Gosh Darn!" is the roughest expression to come from Schexnayder, Fennelly said, as more than 200 celebrants grinned and nodded in agreement under the cloudless blue skies.

    "Everyday along this economically important waterway, oceangoing ships and large tows move thousands of tons of cargo up and down the River," said Capt. Frank Paskewich, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans.

    "Associated Terminals is widely recognized as one of the River's premier stevedoring companies, and your ability to efficiently and safely offload and onload cargo is a vital part of this region's economy."

    "The Coast Guard fully recognizes the importance of the job you do and the maritime professionals that work here day in and day out performing their duties in an exemplary manner. And… you do this work following strong traditions of safety, diligence, and community," he added.     

    Ordered 18 months ago from Gottwald Port Technology in Dusseldorf, Germany, Kerry Robertson, Associated Terminal's Senior Operations Manager, said getting the derrick barge ready for the christening ceremony was a "Gosh Darn" experience in its own right.

    Robertson said he had no sooner finished a project to bring the tenth Associated Terminals crane barge on line, when he was assigned to the Glenn S. project.  Gulf Coast shipyards have been overwhelmed with post-Katrina work and many still wrestle with shortages of workers. Robertson said fabrication work on this barge required modification slots at a number of local shipyards.

    Another aspect that makes this derrick barge unique was the design from Gottwald Port Technology. Unlike many domestic crane manufacturers, Gottwald builds their units in assembly line fashion.  Once ready, the finished crane along with all its components is shipped. Assembly occurred in New Orleans following the crane's arrival in the Chalmette Slip at the Port of St. Bernard. "The barge was shifted between several workable locations as slots became available, and we were ready when the pedestal arrived." said Robertson.

    With few days to spare, Robertson said modifying the barge and installing the pedestal and crane came together as scheduled, a testament to the work of Associated's employees and also to the contractors who provided staff and equipment to this project.

    The crane on the Glenn S. has a boom length of 165 feet, with a maximum outreach of 164 feet.  Viewing height of the crane operator is 70 feet, 10 inches above the waterline.  A counterweight of 125.7 short tons balances the lift weight.

    The diesel-electric drive system is powered by a 12-cylinder Cummins engine turning out 1,490 hp.  With a fuel capacity of 1930 gallons, the crane's general cargo capacity is 69.4 short tons and a grab operations rating of 44.1 short tons.

    The barge itself has 19,440 square feet of deck area with 1,728 feet of dry storage under deck.  It has 28 watertight compartments and rakes on both ends.  The barge has a capacity of 23,500 gallons of diesel fuel, 1,250 gallons of 15w40 motor oil, 3,500 gallons of used oil and 6,800 gallons of fresh water.

    The crews that work on the derrick barge have 1640 feet of quarters, including office space, a full kitchen, with bathroom facilities, showers and a locker room. There is an onboard sewerage treatment system, and an onboard oils management system.

    Two Modern Electric Drive AM Clyde winches operate on deck; each with 40,000 pounds of line pull.  Fendering is made of 3,060 feet of 12 inch pipe, solid welded along the sides of the barge with 128 aircraft tires and rigging providing added fendering support.

    Air compressors generate 125 cubic feet per minute.  Two 150-kw generators provide power for accommodations. In addition to this fixed equipment, the Glenn S. also sports moveable assets: two Caterpillar front end loaders and two track hoes were provided by Louisiana Machinery.

    "Today, I present the floating derrick Glenn S. the flag that symbolizes the patriotism and spirit of professional mariners—this flag will be the first to see the morning sun and the last to feel the ray of sunset, remaining ever flying over the crew of the Glenn S.," Capt. Paskewich said.

     Glenn Schexnayder, the crane's namesake, also a Vice President at Associated Terminals, said "although I am the recipient of this honor, it is a tribute to our loyal customers, hard work and dedication by the employees of Associated, and the cooperation of all support companies that make this occasion possible.  It took a team effort to achieve this success, so to use an old coaching cliché, there is no 'I' in Team". 

     In closing, he thanked the members of his family for their encouragement, support and for being in attendance and his wife, Deborah assisted him in christening the D/B 'Glenn S'.  The dockside ceremony ended with a 'second line' parade to the Plimsoll Club atop the New Orleans' World Trade Center for the reception.