Abdon Callais Offshore

Ship shapeAbdon Callais Offshore, LLC may have charted a course through deep waters, but its commitment to strong family values keeps it on an even keel. Kate Sawyer reports. More than a half century has passed since old Abdon Callais had the inspired idea to convert his barebones shrimp trawler into an offshore service vessel. Since that moment, family-owned and -operated Abdon Callais Offshore has employed the best talent and equipment in the service of far-flung oil and gas rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Now in its third generation, AdbonÔÇÖs grandson Peter heads up Abdon Callais Offshore and has helped steer the company toward the exponential growth it enjoys today. The countryÔÇÖs urgent demand for affordable gas has helped the industry grow concurrently. In fact, the last three years have witnessed Abdon CallaisÔÇÖ revenue growth at an average of 700 percent. The company has also been featured on Inc. magazineÔÇÖs list of the top 500 fastest growing companies in the US for four consecutive years. Additionally, Peter Callais was recently inducted into the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame in Palm Springs, California.The numerous vessels of Abdon Callais service outposts dotted throughout the deepwater, shelf, and coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico, transporting both people and supplies to and from the mainland. Not only does the company provide the offshore transportation, but it also custom builds and maintains its own fleet of boats so it can better respond to the ever-changing demands of its customers. For instance, the company has built nearly 30 offshore oil vessels to date, the most recent of which are 180-foot class offshore supply boats at Master Boat Builders in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.ÔÇ£Our aggressive new build program continuously monitors the demands and needs of the ever-changing marine transportation industry,ÔÇØ the company says. ÔÇ£Vessels under construction can be specifically designed and constructed to meet your specific demands or needs.ÔÇØAbdon Callais OffshoreÔÇÖs business is undoubtedly dangerous and lonely. To that end, the management provides both ongoing training and competitive compensation to retain top-notch talent. Abdon Callais Offshore offers its more than 350 employees a suite of comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, life insurance, and 401kÔÇöeven to deckhands and low-skill laborers. Abdon CallaisÔÇÖ employees also receive bonuses as they complete training, and there are opportunities for advancement within the company.Abdon Callais Offshore is renowned for treating its employees like family and instilling core values in its team members. If a problem arises out on the ocean, the team in place must have an emergency strategy and good communication at hand to keep its people and cargo safe. Therefore, each employee, no matter what rank, is empowered through company policy to use the Stop Work Authority if any work is witnessed or believed to be unsafe. In fact, the company offers bonuses for employees who report unsafe behavior, since one mistake at sea can cost not only lost cargo and revenues, but peopleÔÇÖs lives.A ship captain is responsible for operating offshore vessels in inshore waters as well as the Gulf of Mexico. This task requires extensive knowledge of tides, water depth, and currents. Weather conditions often change without warning, and the captain must have excellent decision making abilities. In addition, the captain must oversee the training and evaluation of all those who work onboard. The shore-side management team has over 150 years of collective experience in the marine transportation industry and oil and gas support services. Abdon Callais Offshore knows the inherent value in maintaining equipment and suppliesÔÇöit saves money in the long run. Its vessels are ISM and ISO 9001/2000 certified and often exceed industry competitors in terms of quality. In addition, the company invests more than $500,000 each year in training personnel and making health, safety, environmental, quality, and personnel improvements. With the distinguished ABS accreditation, its quality safety management system is uniquely designed to run its daily operations both effectively and efficiently.