LOCAL

Sen. Cassidy tours Bristow heliport in Houma, Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport

The Courier

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (right), R-La., chats with Aviation Maintenance Manager Mike Leger at the Bristow Group heliport Monday at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., toured the Bristow Group’s heliport in Houma and visited Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport on Monday.

“Louisiana leads the nation in boat building and helicopter support for the offshore industry," Cassidy said in a news release. "We need to build on the talent of these craftsmen and this skill set.”

At the heliport, Cassidy learned more about how Bristow provides air transportation to ensure workers can get to where they’re needed in the region.

“We are honored that Senator Cassidy spent time touring our facilities and meeting with some of the 177 employees supporting our Houma base,” said Chris Bradshaw, president and CEO of Bristow.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (right) R-La., walks with Mandy Nelson, director of government affairs of Bristow Group, and Bristow's Executive Vice President and COO David Stepanek at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport Monday.

Bristow’s Louisiana operations flew approximately 120,000 passengers and performed 641 medevac missions in 2020, the company says.

At Bollinger Shipyards, Cassidy was briefed on the company’s latest projects.

“The Fast Response Cutter program is something we’re all proud of here in Louisiana,” said Ben Bordelon, company president and CEO. "Since its inception, Senator Cassidy has been a leader amongst the bipartisan coalition that year-after-year fights for the success of the FRC program.”