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Cenac Marine Services
Cenac Marine Services is a leader in the marine towing industry, specializing in the transportation of crude oil and petrochemical products. With a commitment to safety, innovation, and community, Cenac plays a vital role in supporting Louisiana’s maritime economy.
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A Louisiana Legacy
Founded over 100 years ago, Cenac Marine Services remains a family-owned business committed to the values of integrity, hard work, and community. Under the leadership of Arlen “Benny” Cenac Jr., the company continues to honor its rich heritage while driving forward with modern solutions and strategic growth.
Cenac Marine Services not only plays a critical role in Louisiana’s oil and gas industry, but also supports the state’s economy by creating jobs and fostering local development. By investing in local talent and resources, Cenac helps build a sustainable economic future for the region, benefiting both the community and the industry.
Mitigating Industry Hazards
Shipyards can be hazardous work environments, with ample opportunity for accidents: slips and falls, fire, smoke inhalation, man overboard, overhead dangers, heat-related risks, heavy machinery accidents, and confined-space incidents. But Cenac Marine has done an excellent job mitigating or eliminating those risks through regular training, safety initiatives, investing in infrastructure improvements, and a culture of safety leadership that comes directly from the top.
They’ve implemented Stop Work Authority (SWA), a safety protocol to encourage its employees to stop work when faced with unsafe conditions. The Cenac team holds daily toolbox safety meetings, monthly overall safety meetings, and requires a variety of safety certifications for employees such as Marine Confined Space Competent Person Training, Fire Watch, and Ladder Height Safety. They’ve also implemented a three-strike policy for employees engaging in unsafe behavior: a first infraction elicits a verbal reprimand, and a second violation incurs a written warning. If the trend continues, the employee could face termination.
Heroism in Safety
In one particularly precarious situation, Cenac’s SWA protocol proved lifesaving for non-employees as well. Late one night in Matagorda Bay, just off the Texas coast, a tugboat by the name of Jackie Cenac was crossing the channel on its way back to Louisiana during a routine underway vessel watch. The tankerman had reached the head of the tow when he heard cries for help coming from the direction of the channel marker. Without hesitation, the tankerman radioed the captain with an SWA request.
The captain slowed the tow and swung its spotlight toward the channel marker, where he saw three men — a grandfather, father, and son — clinging to the buoy. Their fishing vessel had hit a wave, tossing them from the boat and leaving them stranded for several hours. The Cenac crew threw the skiff into the water and rescued the family.
Innovative Spirit
Located strategically along the Intercoastal Waterway, Cenac’s facilities include cutting-edge warehousing, crew housing, and training classrooms. These state-of-the-art facilities enable Cenac to support its operations fully, from vessel maintenance to crew readiness, ensuring seamless service to their clients.
Cenac’s fleet is also a testament to their innovative spirit, featuring advanced pushboats and tank barges designed to handle the most challenging towing tasks. The company continually upgrades its equipment with the latest technology to enhance efficiency, reliability, and safety, ensuring that they remain leaders in the marine transportation industry.
