Starting in 1948 or 1949, MJ Cheramie's father borrowed money for engines from his grandfather and began building up inventory, starting with crewboats. He got contracts through Otto Candies. He took a Rhode Island ferry design to George Engine Company in Harvey and had boats built for the offshore industry. He operated three vessels built by Bayroid Mud and also kept building according to the Botruc design. Through the years, the company built larger vessels as oil work went further out in the water. The company built several vessels with Bollinger and American Marine. This is the company that MJ now runs.