Norman McCall, known as a true pioneer of the oil industry, has died at the age of 97. McCall was born March 2, 1924, in Grand Chenier, La., where his playground was the Mermentau River. His first toys were small, homemade boats. He graduated from Grand Chenier High School in 1941 and attended Louisiana Tech for a year. In 1942, he joined the Navy and volunteered for submarine duty. He was trained as an electrician before serving 3+years on the USS Jack. During his tour, Jack made seven war patrols in the South Pacific and South China seas. Upon returning home, he immediately began a long, successful and impressive career in the offshore oil industry. He started as a deckhand on vessels owned by Superior Oil Co. from 1946-48. In 1948, he earned a Masters License and served as captain of vessels for Pure Oil Co. In 1957, he became Port Captain for LA-Tex Marine Service — a subsidiary of Brown & Root, based in Cameron, La. During this time, he was also operations manager of all Pure Oil Company owned boats. In 1966, he purchased two used vessels and formed his own boat company — Cameron Crew Boats Inc. He later formed other corporations that owned and operated offshore vessels. By 1996, his companies owned and operated 42 crew/supply vessels. In May 1996, he merged the family-owned companies with Seacor Marine and served as manager of the Cameron office and following Hurricane Rita, the Lake Charles office. McCall was the builder of the first four engine crewboat in 1970, and in 1989, the first six-engine crewboat. He was also instrumental in the delivery of the first 185'-foot crewboat ever delivered in the world as well as the first catamaran crew supply vessel. (Work Boat 10/17/22) Norman McCall passes away at the age of 98 | Workboat.
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