Roy Champagne, Sr. started in oilfield in 1957. Prior to that time, he was shrimping in Texas. His first job in the oilfield was to run a crewboat for MJ Cheramie's uncle, Lefty. He was hired for 3 days but lasted 30 odd years. He ran boats out of the district office in Paradis and covered Houma, East Lake Barre, and Redfish Bay, mainly servicing Humble rigs. Later he operated out of Port Sulphur. He got his first license in 1957. At that time, he needed a 300-ton license to operate supply boats. He was proud to report that he never had a spill. Roy retired from shrimping 6 years ago and has not taken his shrimpboat out since.