Alden J. "Doc" Laborde

After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and serving in World War II, Doc Laborde entered the offshore industry during the post-war boom in the Gulf of Mexico. By applying his naval training and experience to numerous practical engineering problems facing the emerging industry, he helped create the new technologies needed to drill offshore and founded the companies needed to implement these technologies. He is best known for the design and construction of Mr. Charlie, one of the first submersible rigs, and the Ocean Driller, one of the first semi-submersibles. He also organized ODECO, a leading company in mobile drilling, and with his brother John, Tidewater Inc., a leader in offshore supply boats.