The Trinity Marine Group operated over 20 shipyards in the United States. Today, Trinity Marine makes cargo barges, tank barges, fiberglass hopper barge covers, and other barge components. The company's manufacturing facilities have been located on inland waterways, in locations such as Gretna, Louisiana and Moss Point, Mississippi.

Shipbuilding: Exposure to Asbestos

Thousands of workers have contributed to the manufacture of vessels and products at the Trinity Marine Group shipyards. Unfortunately, shipyards in the U.S. and around the world have been the location of workers exposure to asbestos, a toxic mineral that was used extensively in ship components for many years.

Asbestos as a Fire Retardant

After the disasters of the Titanic in 1912 and the fire aboard the Morro Castle in 1934 that killed 134 people, fire safety on ocean-going vessels became a major focus in the shipbuilding industry. Asbestos was considered an appropriate material for many components of nearly all types of vessels, from surface ships to submarines.

Asbestos is indeed a highly fireproof and friction-resistant material. It had been used for centuries in applications that require resilience, strength, and fire-retardant properties. These characteristics of asbestos resulted in its use in thousands of products in shipbuilding, construction, and machinery of various types.

Fibers of Asbestos Cause Disease

Ship boiler rooms, pipe and electrical insulation, turbines and pumps, and many other components often contained asbestos. The shipyard workers who installed, repaired, or replaced these components were at risk of being exposed to asbestos fibers that were released into the air when the asbestos was manipulated or disturbed.

If You Have an Asbestos-Related Illness

Lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis are among the illnesses that asbestos inhalation causes. If you've been diagnosed with any asbestos-related disease, contact us today to learn more about your rights.