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Bollinger Shipyard

Bollinger Shipyard is located in Lockport, Louisiana. It is one of the leading builders of small and medium sized off-shore and inland vessels in the United States. Bollinger Shipyard, while serving commercial and governmental needs, also specializes in repair and maintenance of existing ships. The shipyard has 14 locations along the Gulf of Mexico in both Louisiana and Texas. In total, there are 42 dry docks.

Although Bollinger Shipyard was initially planned to simply be a repair shop, it has grown into one of the leaders in construction of certain types of specialized ships. It is also one of the chief suppliers of patrol craft for the US Coast Guard and the US Navy. These boats come in all different sizes but generally range from between 87 to 170 feet, with a wide range of special electronics and armament. They also work in partnership with the energy industry by making supply vessels, tugboats, dredges, and lift boats that are used to assist offshore drilling operations. Additionally, they build barges and other specialty vessels.

This illustrious company was founded in 1946 by Donald G. Bollinger on the banks of the Bayou Lafourche. The Bayou Lafourche is one part of a series of complex waterways that make up southern Louisiana. Bollinger himself was a machinist who started a marine machine shop inland on the Bayou Lafourche. He then enlisted the help of his brother, who was a mechanic and a welder who would go on to become president of the company.

The Bollinger Shipyard soon took advantage of the oilfield boom in southern Louisiana by constructing barges and work boats. Additionally, they were hired to build fishing vessels for local customers. During the first quarter century of existence, the company remained fairly small. However in the late 1970s, they opened a second shipyard in Larose, Louisiana.

Bollinger's son also eventually joined the business. He earned his undergraduate degree in business administration and became instrumental in the success of the business years later. The company never worked for the government in its early years, but Bollinger's son initiated conversation with the United States Navy. He later saved the company during the oil drought of 1984. This slump ruined many companies who were associated with the oil and gas industry, yet Bollinger realized that government contracts were more lucrative and decided to downplay commercial work to focus more on government jobs.

1984 marked a very good year for the company. They secured their first US government ship building contract. This deal was worth $86 million and meant that Bollinger would have to construct 13 110-foot-long Island Class cutters for the US Coast Guard. This contract was later increased to $99 million for 16 vessels. The coast guard was so pleased with the work and its timeliness that they decided to purchase 49 of these vessels by the 1990s. In only a few years, Bollinger Shipyard had risen in yearly profits from $30 million to $90 million.

Just like most shipyards, asbestos was used in building and repairing ships. At the time, it was not understood how dangerous the fiber was to the respiratory system. If asbestos is not touched or disturbed, it is usually not harmful. However, once it is disturbed during repair and building, the asbestos particles become airborne and are inhaled into the respiratory system. There are several diseases that can be associated with asbestos including asbestosis and mesothelioma, the latter being a very severe form of cancer.

The workers who were most at risk of asbestos contamination were welders, pipe fitters, and electricians. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure is not usually evident until many years after the initial contamination. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos, it is important to have yourself examined by your doctor regularly.

The Bollinger Shipyard has made many innovative contributions to the world of naval travel. Some of the innovations that they have made over their career have paved the way for other companies to do the same.

Last modified: December 09 2009.