63 February 28, 1999

Cummins Marine Welcomes Cheramie Comeback

Back in 1992, when doctors told Manny Cheramie that he would have to have one kidney removed and the other was threatened, he decided to sell his 13-boat fleet of towboats. Still only in his forties, it was a real blow to Manny to leave the intercostal waters of Louisiana and Texas that had been his life since his dad introduced him to decking on a shrimp boat at five years of age. "I hated school," recalls the Golden Meadow native, "So when I failed grade seven I went full time on the boats and I've been doing that ever since."

That is, until he learned just how far the sickness had eaten into his body. But Gulf shrimpers breed tough men and now, after six years, Manny is getting a 100% bill of health from his doctors. He and his wife Sonia, are preparing for a comeback with the launch of the first new boat of the second half of their lives. The "Lady Sonia" is a 60X24-foot pushboat powered by a pair of Cummins KTA19-M engines rated at 500 hp each turning into a Twin Disc MG 5202 marine gear with a 6:1 reduction swinging a 62X57-inch prop. "I have a lifetime contract for the new boat with Hollywood Marine," says Manny, who has been associated with the Huston based firm for 25 years, "When I called to tell Mickie Belle that I was going back into the boat business, he said, 'I'll send you a contract tomorrow.' And I expect to be back at work by the summer of 1999. You can only spend so much time hunting and fishing before you start to get aggravated. It was nice to be home with my wife and kids but she will be coming on the boat with me and so will the kids in the summer time."

The new boat will be pushing chemical barges and so will also carry a pilot and two deckhand/bargemen. Chiassion Welding Services in LaRose Louisiana have built two boats for Manny in the past and were chosen as the builder of the "Lady Sonia" the partially finished boat will launch in March. The interior finishing will be done and she will be ready for delivery in May at which time Manny, his family and friends are planning a barbecue and a blessing to welcome the new boat to the bayou.

For Further information contact:

Manny Cheramie
105 Galliano, Louisiana
U.S.A. 70354
Phone: 504 475-5480 Fax: 504 475-5526

Joe Gregory
Cummins Mid-South Inc.
110 E. Airline Highway
Kenner, LA 70062
Phone: (504) 465-3403 Fax: (504) 465-3408

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