Cher Walker

Cher monitors safety guidelines, safety protocols, and employee qualifications.

Cher has a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans in Marketing and a Masters of Science degree from McNeese State University in Exercise Physiology. Cher is an avid scuba diver and boater and is a member of the Professional Association of Scuba Divers (PADI) as a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, a First Aid and CPR Instructor, and an American Red Cross Lifeguard Trainer. She is also a member of the Lake Charles Sail and Power Squadron serving on the public relations and boating activities committee. She is a former member of the NOAA Sanctuary Advisory Council serving the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Also, as a Platinum Dealer for Scuba Pro, Cher is a member of the Advisory Council.

Darrell Walker

Darrell is the Lead Captain, Operations Manager, and Dive Supervisor of Blue Star Marine, and he oversees daily project management. His attention to detail and hands-on management have enabled Blue Star Marine to complete projects in a safe and effective manner with a 100% safety record since the business began. All dive and marine operations are completed under his direct supervision. Darrell’s has been a Licensed USCG 100-Ton Master for over 40 years and has been a commercial diver since 1985, a NOAA Working Certified Diver since 2010, and a  PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer since 1980.

Darrell is a 1985 McNeese State University graduate having majored in Industrial Instrumentation. Darrell is a former Commander of the Lake Charles Sail and Power Squadron, a former Member of the NOAA Sanctuary Advisory Council serving the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, and former lead Captain of the NOAA R/V Manta. Darrell is a Master First Aid and CPR Instructor. Darrell has almost 40 years of experience in Gulf Coast Marine Operations. As a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast living in Lake Charles his entire life, Darrell has been actively exploring the Gulf of Mexico since 1977. He has grown to cherish the areas of the Gulf that are unique in nature when compared to the overall vastness of the marine environment. With an eye on conservation and proper management, Darrell believes the vast resources of the Gulf of Mexico can be properly utilized while still being a good steward to the environment.

Captain Jody Boudoin

Captain Jody Boudoin was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has an extensive background in the marine industry for over 30 years. He obtained a USCG Masters of Towing Vessels, 1600 GT / 3000 ITC Near Coastal Masters License, 10,000 GT Masters of Offshore Supply Vessel License, and a Dynamic Positioning DP Class 2 Unlimited License from the Nautical Institute in London, England. Captain Boudoin has certification in safety training such as Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) by the US Coast Guard, Vessel Security Officer, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), Advanced Fire Fighting, Environmental Response, and Hazardous Materials in a marine environment training under MARPOL guidelines, offshore water survival techniques, and Radar Observator Unlimited certifications. These certifications have been utilized in commercial ports such as Halifax, Nova Scotia, East Coast, Gulf Coast of the United States, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Captain Boudoin started as a deckhand at 18 years old and earned his first master’s position at 23 years old on a 110′ Harbor Tug in the Calcasieu Ship Channel, his hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana. He moved on to work with New York City’s harbor and towing vessels all along the East Coast. He was then recruited as a lead Captain for one of the largest offshore vessel operators in the world and spent 21 years as a Master on specialized vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Captain Boudoin is also a past member of the United States Sail and Power Squadron and USCG Auxiliary in Lake Charles and has become an invaluable partner with Blue Star Marine.