BEAUMONT – “We are a maritime nation, and the waterways are important to this nation and to the world. I think there is no question about that.”
That was part of the message delivered by U.S. Coast Guard Captain Anthony R. Migliorini during the Seafarers’ Center of Beaumont Annual Maritime Gala.
H.B. Neild Construction was happy to play a small role as an event sponsor for an organization dedicated to offering all seafarers arriving to Port of Beaumont and docks along the Sabine-Neches Waterway services a haven from the isolation of life aboard a merchant vessel.
Seafarers’ Center officials in turn took the spotlight and audience afforded to them during the evening of Aug. 22 at Elegante Hotel to praise the work of Catholic Charities and honor longtime contributor, the recently passed Pete “Chief” Shelton.
MARITIME IMPACT
Migliorini, who serves as the commanding officer for Maritime Safety Unit Port Arthur, said there are 55 miles of deepwater channel from the sea buoy on up to Beaumont, which does not count the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway cutting through this area and the entire Gulf.
Ports of Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange and Sabine Pass make up the complex, which is the nation’s third busiest port complex by tonnage.
“The ports of Beaumont and Port Arthur are the busiest strategic military outlet ports in the U.S.,” he said. “They are moving more military cargo than anyone else in the nation. It’s pretty impressive. If you have driven near the port anytime in the last several years, you have noticed a few tanks and Humvees sitting around.”
The complex is also the No. 1 exporter of LNG in the world.
Migliorini took time to praise numerous waterway contributors by name and function, highlighting the largescale and diverse group of professionals it takes to operate a port like Beamont on a daily basis.
He said it is a challenge to be a wheelman or crewmember on a tug or barge.
According to Migliorini, these professionals are constantly going down the Intercoastal Waterway, navigating the inland river system and working in and out of the port.
“It is very tight spaces with very challenging apparatus to push around,” he added. “It is truly amazing to see that little tugboat pushing six or seven barges ahead of it and getting through the waterway without hitting something.”
He also noted the “tremendously challenging life” of an open water seafarer, who could spend months and months away from home.
“I think we forget the difficulty it is to be away from your family for that time and how wonderful it is to have a seafarers’ center on that receiving end to just give you a smile, let alone all the other services that are provided by seafarers’ centers,” Migliorini said.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
President and CEO Carolyn Fernandez andCatholic Charities of Southeast Texas were also recognized during the event for positive impacts across the region.
The agency was founded in 1976 to provide resettlement services to Vietnamize refugees and evolved from that singular focus to a multi-dimensional approach.
Current outreach includes counseling services, child grief support, housing, financial and disaster services; a hospitality center; immigration services; and grocery products to low-income households.
“Our services are focused on helping our sisters and brothers in need,” Fernandez said. “Catholic Charities services are available to all people, regardless of their religious affiliation. We are universal, so anyone is welcome to come and be part of our work. We welcome all who need our services, and we welcome people of all faiths who want to help us serve them.”
PETE SHELTON
Seafarers’ Center of Beaumont Board Member Christina Crawford helped begin the evening of reflection with a celebration and toast of Chief Pete Shelton, who died July 25, 2024, at the age of 92.
“He is revered as one of the most influential leaders in the fire service and our community,” Crawford said.
Chief Shelton joined the Beamont Fire Department in 1950 and served as its chief from 1976 to 1996.
The city’s first fire station – station No. 1 downtown – was named Fire Museum of Texas and has been endorsed by the State Firemen’s & Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas as the official fire museum for the state.
C.A. “Pete” Shelton Plaza is located outside the museum.
He served on the Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners from 1989 to 2019, with roles as vice president and president during portions of his tenure.
“In that capacity is how he really supported and advocated for our seafarers’ center,” Crawford said. “About 20 years ago, Chief said we cannot let this organization fail. It was at that time we literally had a negative bank account and had a beat-up van that didn’t run. We were trying to take seafarers who came to town to Walmart and other places to get the things that they needed.
“Chief helped turn that situation around. He recruited many of you here. He pushed for the port to invest in us, not only with a building but with vehicles and other ways he could.”
