INSIGHTSand building on an All-American career in Lacrosse, his ro-bust philanthropy for his high school and college alma ma-ters has bene? ted a generation of scholar athletes on Long Island, NY, and beyond. But Bouchard’s commitment to education and mariner training extends far beyond the playing ? elds. The Bouchard Transportation Company, Inc., Tug & Barge Simulation Center is nearing comple-tion at SUNY Maritime College’s Throggs Neck campus. Available to SUNY Maritime College students as part of their program of study, and to outside tug and barge com-p panies for employee training, the facility mirrors Boucha-r rd’s resolve to create a safer workplace and a cleaner envi-Morton S. Bouchard Morton S. Bouchard r ronment. In 2011, Mr. Bouchard established the Morton S S. Bouchard Jr. Scholarship Program at SUNY Maritime i in memory of his father. A staunch supporter of the mari-III IIIt time industry, Bouchard also serves on the Board of Direc-tors of both the American Maritime Partnership and of the American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and President and CEO, Indemnity Association, Inc. All that said; it is clear that Bouchard Transportation’s storied history is only part of the story. As far as Morton S. Bouchard III is concerned, Bouchard what comes next is just as important. Listen in this month as he talks about how things get done; the ‘Bouchard’ way. Transportation Co., Inc.Running a ? eet in today’s increasingly regulated en-vironment can’t be easy. If you had to point to one When it comes to iconic, East Coast mainstays of the aspect of this business that is the most challenging, then what would that be?U.S. maritime industry, probably one of the ? rst names that come to mind is ‘Bouchard.’ Likewise, Morton S. The biggest challenges in running Bouchard Transpor-Bouchard III, who has served as President of Bouchard tation fall into two categories; the ? rst being the ever-Transportation Co., Inc., the nation’s largest independent- changing regulations and the second being the continuous ly-owned ocean-going petroleum barge company since attempts to open the Jones Act. When a company makes 1996, also needs no introduction to MarineNews readers. an investment in an asset, it does so in compliance with Bouchard’s CEO since 1999, he is the fourth generation of the existing regulations so that the asset will last for its use-Bouchards to lead the company since its incorporation in ful lifespan, if not longer. Lately, the worldwide regulatory 1918. Promoted to President at the tender age of 32, Mr. agencies have been trying to implement changes without Bouchard has continued the family tradition of investing regard for the companies that made these investments in pro? ts in cutting edge equipment and following the pas- accordance with the regulations in place. I am all for mod-sage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, he instituted the ernization, and of course I too want a clean environment, ? rst double hull barge construction program in the Unit- but there has to be some consideration for these older as-ed States. The company began building ? at deck double sets that were built in compliance with the standard at the hull ocean-going petroleum barges in 1992 and under Mr. time, and now must be upgraded or scrapped without even Bouchard’s leadership, continues to do so. Beyond this, a tax credit. The continuous failed attempts by companies Bouchard’s ongoing ? eet expansion includes the construc- to circumvent the Jones Act are also amazing to me. This tion of two 6000-hp ATB tugs, both of which will join two legislation will not change. From our inception, Bouchard ATB units currently under construction. Closer to home, has invested well over ? ve billion dollars in vessels built November 201412MN MN Nov14 Layout 1-17.indd 12 MN Nov14 Layout 1-17.indd 12 10/23/2014 12:35:56 PM10/23/2014 12:35:56 PM