Shrimp Trawlers
Captain Christopher
Captain Christopher is named after owner Anthony Garcia's middle son, Christoper. Christopher, nicknamed Tito, has always been the life of the party. With his quick wit and great humor, there is never a dull moment. Christopher has become a force to reckon with. His strength and leadership has made an important impact on those who have met him.
Captain Marcus
This vessel is owned by Anthony and Kenneth Garcia. Marcus is an amazing boy who will steal your heart. He is loving, caring and has a smile to die for. Marcus has grown into a strong and hardworking man that his uncles are very proud of. This trawler has mighty steel and hauls powers through the waters of the Gulf in search of the world’s finest wild shrimp.
Captain Edward
The Captain Edward was constructed in 1992 acknowledging Edward Garcia, Sr.'s long, challenging and rewarding history with the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico. At the age of 13 he went to work oystering in Matagorda Bay. Several years later he made his maiden shrimping voyage with a new boat captain. On the trip home they got lost, the captain beached the boat and the crew was forced to walk the remainder of the 30 mile journey home. That didn't deter Mr. Garcia, as he purchased his first shrimping vessel in 1952. He has since owned more than 25 boats, and is the patriarch of the Garcia fleet. Four of his six sons currently shrimp, which makes them the largest family owned fleet in the United States.
Texas 1
In 1952 Edward Garcia, Sr. purchased his first shrimp boat, the Texas 18, and became the first Hispanic Gulf shrimp boat owner in Matagorda Bay. He had that vessel for only six short weeks before it was destroyed in an act of violence. Mr. Garcia gained from that experience that he could overcome any obstacle, and continued shrimping. The Texas 1 was built in 1998. This vessel is a shining example that the dream of one man can grow into the dreams of his sons. As seen throughout the years, Mr. Garcia committed himself to building not only a successful business, but a shrimping empire that is based on family values.
Miss Winnie
Employers typically recognize years of service with plaques, silver bowls or watches. Edward Garcia, Sr. chose a different route when he sought to acknowledge the dedication of his long time bookkeeper, Winfred Thompson. He honored his dedicated employee by naming a $500,000 shrimping vessel after her! Mrs. Thompson retired in 2010 after keeping the books and managing his finances for 35 years. The Miss Winnie was built in 1996 by the Rodriguez Boat Builders. Palacios, Texas is her home port.
Grandma
Edward and Antonia Garcia were married on September 1, 1951 and had 13 beautiful and healthy children. They currently have over 80 grandchildren/great grandchildren. Antonia became a grandma for the first time in 1978. From that day on she has been the ideal grandmother. A trip to her home always includes something sweet in your belly and a blessing on your forehead. The Grandma was built in 1993 by Winston Williams. Her home port is Palacios, TX.
St. Daniel Phillip
There is a story behind the name of every fishing vessel, and the St. Daniel Phillip is no exception. This boat was named after Philly Seafood’s owner and President Regina Pena’s son, Daniel Phillip Pena III. Daniel was a beautiful, happy and caring little boy who lived in Palacios, Texas with his parents and sisters. On December 30, 1996, at the age of 4, a tragic accident took his life. The St. Daniel Phillip is owned by Kenneth Garcia and was the third boat in his modern fleet. It was built in 1997 and its home port is Palacios. Kenneth named the boat after Daniel to honor his life, the wonderful memories of him and as a tribute to the strength of his parents.
Little Ken
In 1995 Kenneth Garcia entered a new era for his shrimping business. The Little Ken was his first freezer boat. The Rodriguez Boat Builders of Biloxi, Mississippi crafted this vessel. The Little Ken celebrates the love and devotion Mr. Garcia has for his first born son, Ken. Kenneth Garcia cannot remember a time when he was not shrimping. Many of his childhood memories are of the water, the boats and the excitement. Kenneth started working at a young age helping his father with the boats after school and on the weekends. As a teenager his summers were busy with Gulf shrimping trips. Each trip lasted a few weeks. Before he knew it, he was a boat Captain and after his High School graduation he became a fulltime commercial fisherman. In the early ‘90s, he went from boat Captain to boat owner.
Victoria Rose
The Victoria Rose is a powerful fishing vessel and was built in 2001 with serious upgrades. Alfredo Zamora has been the boat's Captain from the beginning. Kenneth Garcia named the boat after his daughter, Victoria Rose. Victoria has made her family extremely proud! She has beauty and brains, having graduated from the University of Texas- Austin. From a very young age, she has been quite the entrepreneur. Victoria is now a dedicated working professional. The Victoria Rose vessel brings in a bountiful harvest. Palacios, Texas is her home port.
Josh & Jake
When most of your life has been centered near the smell of salt water and the rocking of a boat, it can be hard to imagine a life away from it all. Anthony Garcia started his relationship with the water at the tender age of five. He enjoyed tagging along with his eldest brother as he worked hard tending to the needs of his father's shrimp boats on shore. Anthony's job was to stay out of the way and not get into trouble. As he matured, his responsibilities grew and his teenage summers were spent shrimping in the Gulf. By his 24th birthday, he had already purchased his first boat, The Marshall. Although Anthony's current business responsibilities keep him on land, and it has been decades since his last Gulf trip, the open water still speaks to him. Built in 1999, The Josh & Jake was named after two of Anthony's Godsons. Although these two boys were born and raised in the big city, the salt water is in their blood. Anthony acknowledged their love for everything aquatic, by naming his shrimping vessel after the boys, thereby allowing Josh and Jake to always be near the water.
Captain Arnulfo
As a tribute to his uncle, Kenneth Garcia proudly owns the Captain Arnulfo trawler. Captain Arnulfo Villarreal was a WWII veteran and shrimp legend. When all the young Aparicio and Garcia boys came of age, it was Arnulfo who taught them how to shrimp.
Miss Danielle
This ship was purchased in 2013 by Kenneth Garcia. The Miss Danielle is a beautiful and powerful trawler that is a shrimp hunting machine.
Captain Anthony
The Captain Anthony is named after owner Anthony Garcia's eldest son. Anthony has always been respected by his siblings. Taking on the hard task of being the eldest sibling, Anthony has surely lived up to his name and has brought great pride to his family.
Father Mike
There is a very personal meaning behind this vessel’s name. Father Mike Buentello is boat owner Kenneth Garcia's first cousin. Growing up as a young boy in the small shrimping town of Palacios, Kenneth was extremely close to his cousins. Mike's athletic ability was admired by the younger Kenneth and naming this boat after him is a dedication of Kenneth’s love for his cousin.
Lady Toni
In the shrimping world, the ultimate tribute is to have a boat name after you. Lady Toni is a symbol of owner Kenneth Garcia's love for his mother. The great Lady Toni, through her love, encouragement and support, has raised 13 successful children, all of which adore her. She, along with her husband Edward, began the familys' shrimping legacy in 1952.
Emmanuel
At the request of his loyal captain, owner Kenneth Garcia christened his newly built boat the Emmanuel; meaning the "Lord is with us". Kenneth has all of his boats blessed before their first trip into the Gulf of Mexico. This boat’s name is a constant reminder to trust God during all phases of life.
Ike & Zack
The Ike & Zack is a powerful vessel that is named for the two oldest nephews of owner Anthony and Kenneth Garcia. This vessel was built and bought in the ‘90s.
Miss Adrianna
Miss Adrianna was named after boat owner Tony Garcia's youngest and only daughter. Adrianna, nicknamed Adry, has been the center of her father's world since the day she was born. Growing up with two older brothers, Adry has always had to fend for herself, making her into the strong independent woman she has become today... with an unforgettable laugh! The Miss Adrianna, much like Adry herself, is a beautiful vessel which always brings in a bountiful harvest.
Captain Sonne
This vessel is named after Anthony Garcia’s grandfather. Sonne absolutely adored his grandchildren. He was a very present and wonderful grandfather. Therefore, Anthony felt compelled to name this mighty boat after him.
The Principal
This strong vessel is owned by Kenneth Garcia. It was named to celebrate his loving wife, Selena’s career as an educator. Selena was dedicated to inspiring her students to reach their full potential.
Master Ken
This vessel is the newest, most modern and powerful boat in Kenneth Garcia's fleet. Built in 2002, the Master Ken symbolizes the strength and power of a young man taking on the world. This vessel is dedicated to his grown son and business partner, Kenneth Jr. Kenneth played baseball in college, has a finance degree from UTSA and is involved in every aspect of a variety of businesses with his father.
Henley Joy
This mighty vessel is named after Ken Garcia’s first born daughter. She is a kind, sweet and overjoyous baby girl with an amazing smile. Ken wanted to send a radiating light of positivity into the fleet by naming this strong vessel after her. Henley is the first grandchild for Kenneth Garcia Sr. and his wife Selena.
John Mary II
This strong vessel is owned by Kenneth Garcia and brings in a plentiful harvest of shrimp each season.
Mighty Tide
This strong vessel is owned by Kenneth Garcia and brings in a plentiful harvest of shrimp each season.