An Award Luncheon honoring Capt. Michael R. Lorino, Jr. Tuesday, April 18, 2006 12:00 Noon (cash bar at 11:30 a.m.) Plimsoll Club, 30th Floor, WTC (Free validated parking in the WTC Garage) Advance Registration Required

The C. Alvin Bertel Award is presented annually to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of the Greater New Orleans port area.

Captain Michael Lorino was elected as an Apprentice Pilot by the Associated Branch Pilots in 1973. After serving his apprenticeship he was commissioned as a Pilot in 1978. He served 17 years as a Director of the Associated Branch Pilots, then as Vice President for nine years before being elected to the position of President in 2000. Captain Lorino and his Association continue to work with the maritime industry on moving deep draft vessels. They understand the importance of the commerce that flows through the river system and the economic value it brings to Louisiana and the nation. When Hurricane Katrina was headed in our direction, Captain Lorino coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Crescent and Baton Rogue Pilots on moving vessels in and out of the Mississippi River and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet until it was no longer safe for his pilots. After the storm, Captain Lorino immediately shifted to recovery mode. He participated in the daily conference calls with the USCG, COE, NOAA, Crescent Pilots, Baton Rouge Pilots, and the maritime industry to quickly assess the damage and work to reopen the river for commerce. Utilizing his years of piloting through Southwest Pass, he reviewed the sounding and survey and took the lead with the groups using the COE sounding, advising the Captain of the Port that he and his pilots would be able to safely move vessels in and out of the Mississippi River. As navigational aids were installed and other surveys accomplished by the COE, the Mississippi River was opened to the prior Katrina draft of 47 feet. This quick action taken by Captain Lorino and his pilots stopped the downturn in the shipping market and started the region on the road to recovery on the Mississippi River. His leadership during this period, together with his experience and understanding of the importance of this river system to our local, state, and national economy, has been the talk of the shipping world. Worldwide, people are still talking of the quickness of the river being returned to full operations. Captain Lorino was born in Chalmette, Louisiana. He graduated from Chalmette High School and attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Selection Committee Organizations

Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans

City of New Orleans

International Freight Forwarders and

Customs Brokers Association

Jefferson Parish

New Orleans Board of Trade

New Orleans Chamber of Commerce

Steamship Association of Louisiana

Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District

Port of South Louisiana

St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District

World Trade Center of New Orleans

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