Re: Barging

As requested I have identified an alternative to Rampino which will have to come together pretty quickly:

• Boyson has two barges: the General II and a second barge like our new one with hydraulics in place; the General II can get into LSJ but is not free on a regular basis to do so
• The second barge needs repairs which can start Monday: an engine change out in Puerto Rico which we can personally monitor at that yard
• The second barge can regularly serve us from Red Hook along with our new barge and the General could be taken out of service between Red Hook and St. John to take bigger loads every other week to LSJ.
• Boyson wants a deal which calls for us to support the repairs and enter into a 2 year contract, the charges for which would be offset by what we advance for the repair of the smaller barge
• If we take this step we can rid ourselves of our dependence on Rampino completely
• Steve will go ballistic when he learns of this discussion so I do not want to go too far without being able to count on being able to pull this off

Since the repairs to the barge are imminent this matter will come to a head over the next few days and I wanted to give you advance warning and an opportunity to tell me if you concur with dealing with the problem in this way.

Lafayette Contractors LLC

6100 Red Hook Quarter, Suite A2-7

St. Thomas, VI 00802

Tel: 340 779-8054

Fax:340 779-8055

Cell:340 690-7194