January 20, 2020 THE WATERWAYS JOURNAL FIVE
Maritime Partners Christens Mv. Miss Sally Dane
By Frank McCormack
Their story began in 1999. Austin Sperry, co-founder and chief operating officer of Maritime Partners, was just a "young kid" back then, living in Newport Beach, Calif. "Not a lot of purpose but having a lot of fun," Sperry said. "I drove to Mississip- pi to race sailboats, and when I got there, I saw this young lady walking around the yacht club." That young lady was Sally Dane, daughter of renowned shipbuilder John Dane. The two hit it off and went on a couple of dates. "Then I ran into her dad, who saw me and said, 'Boy, are you dating my daugh- ter?'" Sperry recalled. Sperry said he promptly denied every- thing. Not buying the denial, Dane issued a warning that most fathers of daughters would appreciate: "Good, because I've got a shotgun and a shovel, and you won't be missed." "My romance was over," Sperry said. But that's not how the story ends. "Fast forward to 2002 and 2003," Sperry said. "I was living in Miami train- ing for the Athens Olympics, and she was going to university in that part of the world. The rest is history." The shared history of Sally and Aus- tin Sperry now includes their marriage, Sperry joining his father-in-law's ship- building team, rebuilding both the busi- ness and their home after Hurricane Ka- trina, Sperry and John Dane teaming up to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and, now, having five children together. "We've lived through hurricanes, lost everything, been around the world, won the Olympic trials together, cried when we lost the Olympics, opened a pizza res- taurant and cried when we closed the doors because we couldn't pay the rent," Sperry said. "We've been through a lot, and you've stuck with me." Christening Ceremony Sperry was speaking December 20, 2019, at Intracoastal Iron Works in Bourg, La., at the christening of Maritime Part- ners' newest towboat, the mv. Miss Sal- ly Dane, named for his wife, the moth- er of his children, and one of the guiding voices that encouraged him to start the company with co-founder and CEO Bick Brooks. The mv. Miss Sally Dane joins a Maritime Partners fleet of some 360 tow- boats and barges, collectively, under char- ter on the nation's inland waterways. The company was founded in 2015. Sperry used the moment to share the story of how his wife gave him the con- fidence he needed to launch out on the venture that would become Maritime Partners. "I don't think I've ever told you the time when I got fired from my job when we started Maritime Partners," said Sper- ry, standing aboard the mv. Miss Sally Dane, surrounded by his wife and kids. "I was standing in line in the Sacramento airport. I called my attorney and started crying. He said, 'What are you crying for?' I said, 'Not because I lost my job, but be- cause I don't want to let my kids down. I don't want to let my wife down.' "I got home, and you just said, 'Eh, go rent some tugboats and towboats,' and I think that's what I needed to hear," Sper- ry added. "Those experiences we've had over the last 20 years are why we're stand- ing here today." Speaking to the large crowd gathered for the christening, Sally Dane Sperry first heaped thanks on everyone who played a role in building her namesake vessel. "I'd like to thank Thelma, Mr. Ray- mond and Peter for building this boat," Sally Sperry said, speaking to the Vigerie family who owns Intracoastal Iron Works. "It's beautiful. I also need to thank you for helping 'Southernize' my husband and uncle Bick by taking them gator hunting. The kids and I have been impressed by the pictures, and I want in on the next hunt because mama needs a new pair of boots." Sally Sperry was also sure to thank the shipyard crew members for their time and talent. "I've been on barges and tugs and yachts, and your detail is phenomenal," she said. She also thanked Dave Fate, presi- dent and CEO of Stonebriar Commercial Finance, and his wife, Tasha, who were both on hand for the christening. Stone- briar was the first institution to back Mar- itime Partners, after more than 50 others wouldn't loan the company the mon- ey needed to buy its first towboat. Sally Sperry also recognized Rick Freed and Martin Marine for leasing the company's first vessel. Martin Marine is also leasing the Miss Sally Dane. Turning her attention to the Maritime Partners team, Sally Sperry praised both Brooks, who she described as "the best partner I can imagine for Austin," and ev- eryone with the company. "I think we would all say that what has taken place in the last four years is noth- ing less than phenomenal," she said. "A lot of people didn't believe in it. But with the commitment of all you guys, we got it done." Sally Sperry said she remembers growing up and going to christenings of boats her father had built. "I was so jealous of the person who got to hit the bottle," she said. "One of my favorite pictures of my mom grow- ing up was the picture we had in the hall- way. The champagne was spewing every- where, and it was awesome." A month ago, on that sunny Decem- ber day in South Louisiana, it was Sally Sperry's turn to break the bottle of cham- pagne aboard the mv. Miss Sally Dane. "Austin, thank you for doing this," she said. "I love you, babe." Rev. Ty Van Nguyen, a priest within the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, then led the crowd in a prayer of blessing for the mv. Miss Sally Dane. Assisting Nguy- en and reading a Psalm during the chris- tening was Jack Sperry, son of Austin and Sally Sperry. Vessel Specs The mv. Miss Sally Dane measures 78 SEE MISS SALLY DANE PAGE 6 Sally Dane Sperry christens the boat named in her honor, while Rick Freed, vice president of Martin Marine, looks on.
-photos by Frank McCormack
The 2,000 hp. Miss Sally Dane was built by Intracoastal Iron Works.
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