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Our History
DLS Marine Survey & Appraisal
DLS Marine was originally founded by Robert “Bob” Stickney as Stickney Marine Surveying in New Orleans in 1968. Mr. Stickney had left Bachrach & Wood Marine Surveyors and Consulting – a lead marine surveying firm in Louisiana and where future DLS Marine Partners, Norm Laskay and Larry Strouse, both worked. Stickney Marine Surveying began in Mr. Stickney’s home with the support of his wife, Jane.
In 1977, Mr. Stickney hired Norman Dufour, future DLS Marine Partner, as an apprentice marine surveyor. By this time, Stickney Marine Surveying had an office on Nashville Avenue and three surveyors. They provided condition and valuation surveys for the insurance industry, on/off charters, damage and salvage surveys for inland and offshore vessels as well as overflow work for The Salvage Association on blue water vessels. One of their original clients – Dixie Carriers (which later became Kirby Corporation) remains a client to this day.
50 years and still growing
1968
Founded in New Orleans
1977
Mr. Stickney hired Norman Dufour
1999
10,000 Appraisals
2019
DLS Celebrates 50 Years
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Although business was steady in the 1970’s, the effects of the Arab Oil Embargo hit the marine industry hard in the 1980’s. Business had dropped by 75% and Stickney Marine Surveying soon decreased to only Mr. Stickney and Dufour.
In January 1988 the firm was renamed to Stickney, Dufour and Associates when Mr. Stickney and Mr. Dufour became partners. Sadly, Mr. Dufour’s dear friend and mentor, Bob Stickney, passed away shortly after on March 28, 1988. Mr. Dufour describes Mr. Stickney as having a larger-than-life personality and is deeply missed.
Norm Laskay was the first to join Mr. Dufour and was hired in April of 1988. With surveying work to be done 24/7, Mr. Dufour and Mr. Laskay were on a two-man duty rotation, answering evening and weekend calls. They recall having put 35,000 miles a year on their vehicles driving anywhere needed between Florida, Tennessee and Texas.
In March 1997, Captain Larry Strouse joined the firm as Partner and Vice President, and the firm was renamed to Dufour, Laskay and Strouse or “DLS Marine” as it remains today. Like Mr. Stickney, many of the marine surveyors in Louisiana got their first training at Bachrach & Wood. Norm Laskay and Larry Strouse consider Leo Weisgerber, who took over the company after the death of Earl Wood and retirement of Captain Bachrach, as their mentor and friend. and role model in honesty and customer service. Based on that lineage and ties within the marine industry, DLS Marine has always upheld its strong foundational beliefs of honesty, accuracy and fairness. As Mr. Stickney would say, “We can recover from an honest mistake, but we can never recover from a lack of honesty.”
January 2021 marked the 53rd year anniversary from when DLS Marine’s origin, Stickney Marine Surveying, opened in 1968. DLS Marine President Harry Ward, who joined the firm in 2017 is extremely proud of the firm’s reputation and namesake and intends to continue operating to the same high standards as the original owners.
DLS is evolving rapidly today: upgrading internal systems, leading in the development of digital survey products and providing enhanced services such as marine business valuation and M&A support. The DLS team looks forward to 50 more years of providing the best services possible to marine and offshore clients.
Why Us
- American Society of Appraisers: Accredited Senior Members (ASA) and Accredited Members (AM)
- National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS): Certified Marine Surveyors (CMS)
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): External Specialist, Remote Inspection Techniques
- Appointed Lloyd’s Agent for the ports of Houston, Texas (to include the states of Texas and New Mexico), New Orleans, Louisiana (to include the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and the states of Tennessee and Kentucky west of 86°W), Mobile, Alabama (to include the state of Alabama, as well as Florida west of Cedar Key), and the Florida ports of Tampa, Jacksonville, and Cape Canaveral.
Don't Take Our Word For It
“DLS has been our go-to firm for asset and business valuation and M&A support. Their team is responsive and knowledgeable, and they’re among the best in the US maritime industry.”
Ryan Pereyda
CEO/Owner Patriot Contract Services
“DLS has been providing top-notch USPAP-compliant vessel appraisals for our team for many years. We trust the DLS team due to their long history, deep industry knowledge and commitment to integrity.”
Roseanne Neill
Vice President, Director Equipment Finance Asset Management Hancock Whitney Equipment Finance, LLC
“As our partner in the marine and offshore wind industries, DLS Marine has worked hard with our team to pioneer next-generation digital survey products for our mutual clients. We’re proud to be associated with the superb DLS tea.”
Tom Walker
CEO, DroneUp
“DLS provided a great solution for our marine business valuation needs. Their unique blend of vessel appraisal and financial analysis capabilities made them the right choice for us.”
Pat Voss
CFO, Blessey Marine
