Private Shipyards
Commercial shipyards in Louisiana built and repaired vessels for private industry, with workers facing similar asbestos exposure as naval facilities.
Leevac Shipyards
Jennings, Louisiana
North American Shipbuilding
Larose, Louisiana
Bollinger Shipyards
Lockport, Louisiana
Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors
Lockport, Louisiana
Swiftships
Morgan City, Louisiana
Higgins Industries
New Orleans, Louisiana
Closed
Avondale Shipyard
Westwego, Louisiana
Asbestos Exposure at Louisiana Shipyards
Workers at Louisiana shipyards encountered asbestos in numerous applications throughout vessel construction and repair:
- Pipe insulation — Steam and water pipes wrapped in asbestos lagging
- Boiler and engine rooms — Heavy insulation in machinery spaces
- Fireproofing — Asbestos sheets and spray applications on bulkheads
- Gaskets and packing — Valve components containing asbestos
- Electrical insulation — Wiring and panels with asbestos materials
At-Risk Occupations
Multiple trades worked at these shipyards and faced asbestos exposure. If you held any of these positions, you may have been exposed: