Duwamish Shipyard
The Duwamish Shipyard Inc. was a sea-going vessel repair facility located on the West shore of the Duwamish River in Seattle, Washington. Servicing approximately 60 vessels a year, the Duwamish Shipyard's facilities repairs ran the gamut from pleasure craft, tug boats, fishing vessels, passenger ferries, and large industrial barges. For these range of vessels serviced, the service abilities of the Duwamish shipyard were equally flexible. These services included pressure washing, grit blasting, pipe-fitting, steel fabrication, carpentry, as well as electrical and machine work. Haul-out capabilities included two steel dry docks and a graving dock.
Founded in 1939 by, The Duwamish Shipyard has serviced the Seattle area for 68 years, before closing April 1st, 2007. Founded by Anksel Larsen, the shipyard was most recently headed by his grandsons Dave Larsen and brother Carl Larsen, who each retired with the facilities closing. At its industrial peak, the shipyard employed nearly 200 workers, but at time of closing the facility's staff had shrunk to a modest workforce of about 30 full time employees. Those familiar with the Larsen brothers often commented about the quality of their shipyard's work and the good value of their labor.
Just as the Larsen brothers forged their craft of successful and effective business practice, each day shipyard workers forge their craft with their hands and aptitude for a skilled trade. Shipyard employees form an important backbone to the shipping and shipping repair industry. Each day these workers encounter dangerous circumstances, circumstance in which they work because they know the importance of their labor. However, it is important that shipyard workers understand the dangerous situations which they may encounter that they are not aware of. Of particular importance are any toxic materials which they may have come in contact with. One of the more common toxins encountered by shipyard employees is the carcinogen, asbestos.
Asbestos exposure can be very harmful to the body, especially over a sustained period of time. Those workers who are involved in the repair of older vessels are at a specific risk in that asbestos was one of the more prominent materials used in vessel construction. Areas in which asbestos exposure may have occurred include ceiling and floor paneling, pipe fittings, boiler rooms, and electrical fittings. Upon inhalation, asbestos fibers can be linked to a number of lung-related ailments including mesothelioma, a form of cancer that affects the lung operation of the body. Mesothelioma and other respiratory ailments need to be detected early to increase treatment, as well as quality of life options. For more information, please fill out the form for a free Mesothelioma Information Kit. Family, Legal, and Social support systems do exist to assist you.
