Guilbeau Marine News

Seatrials were completed by Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., on the first of four 145.5-ft. utility vessels under contract for Guilbeau Marine, Inc., Cut Off, La. Delivery of the Ms. Caroline was August 24, 2001, and the second boat, Mr. Chad is scheduled for delivery in late September 2001. The boats are named in honor of Caroline Guilbeau, granddaughter of owner Anthony "Noonie" Guilbeau, Jr. and Chad Guilbeau, office manager of the company. "Older utility boats in the 110 to 125 ft. range are becoming obsolete," said Chad Guilbeau, "and this new Bollinger 145 ft. design is ideal for working the shallower waters of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf because of their size, versatility and maneuverability.

About a year ago MarineNews debuted an article on the "First Families" of the oil patch featuring the Graham, Chouest and Candies families. We continue this series with two real pioneers in this industry whose partnership is still going strong after 57 years. Albert Cheramie and Anthony Guilbeau were among the very first to recognize that when oil and gas exploration moved offshore there would be a need for boats to supply the rigs. In 1947, Cheramie began by running a vessel for Humble Oil to Block 16A barely in the Gulf of Mexico off Grand Isle, La. By 1951 both Cheramie and Guilbeau were working offshore themselves as roughnecks for Texaco. "After five years with Texaco, it didn't seem like I was going to advance very far with only a 7th grade education," Cheramie said.

Seatrials have successfully been completed by Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., on the first of four 145.5-ft. utility vessels under contract for Guilbeau Marine, Inc., Cut Off, La. Delivery of the Ms. Caroline was August 24, 2001, and the second boat, Mr. Chad is scheduled for delivery in late September 2001. The boats are named in honor of Caroline Guilbeau, granddaughter of owner Anthony "Noonie" Guilbeau, Jr. and Chad Guilbeau, office manager of the company. "Older utility boats in the 110 foot to 125 foot range are becoming obsolete," said Chad Guilbeau, "and this new Bollinger 145 foot design is ideal for working the shallower waters of the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf because of their size, versatility and maneuverability.