St. John Enterprises, LLC
P.O. Box 96
Garyville, Louisiana 70051
Phone: 985.535.2046
Fax: 985.535.2049
Our History
"The final test of a leader is that he leaves
behind him in other men
the conviction and the
will to carry on." -Walter Lippmann
St. John Fleeting, LLC began with a dream and a
friendship between Charles Metcalf and Sammy Zito in
1976. The beginnings were extremely humble, with
a $15,000 loan, a borrowed crew boat, work
barge, a welding machine, and little else.
Billing was done from the kitchen table, and a
cardboard box served as a temporary filing
cabinet. The business was known as Zito-Metcalf
Marine Repairs, Inc. and was located at Triangle
Fleet in St. Rose. Eventually there would be an
official office, but even then, neither shop
power nor telephone were available. Power would
be supplied from a 100 kw generator and the
telephone contact was handled from the Triangle
Fleet office.
A second location was opened at Triangle Fleet
in Reserve, LA in 1978 known as Metcalf Marine
Repairs, Inc. By 1980, however, it was apparent
that a drydock was needed. Quick to respond, the
two men put in operation the Zito-Metcalf
Drydock, Inc., at the foot of Florida St. in
River Ridge. This location would be operational
until the mid 1980's but ceased to exist when
the Corp of Engineers placed revetment on the
levee.
In 1983 St. John Fleeting opened at Mile 141 in
Garyville, LA. A diversified organization, St.
John Fleeting became a full-service company with
fleet and repair facilities and drydock
capabilities. St. John Cleaning & Repairs, Inc.
was also formed at this time. By 1994 the
company was leasing and chartering equipment and
within two years a transfer rig named "Charlie
Boy" was purchased to handle stevedoring. When
two anchorages were installed in 1998-1999 St.
John Anchorage & Stevedoring came into
existence.
With its many successes St. John Fleeting has
also had its sad periods. It's founder, Charles
Metcalf and one of its co-owners, Russell J.
Gaudet, have since passed away. But their
values, drive and enthusiasm have been handed
down to family members, Keith Metcalf and Darla
and Rusty Gaudet. It is through them and their
dedication to the memories of these remarkable
men that St. John Fleeting will continue to
service its clients in the professional manner
in which they have become accustomed.
