Situated in Port Arthur, Texas, the shipyard is a family-owned business founded after World War II. It was named Burton Shipyard, Inc. in 1960. The shipyard began constructing primarily tugs and fishing boats but subsequently became a major manufacturer of offshore supply boats. It closed in 1982 when the market collapsed. Regrettably, like nearly all shipyards at the time, Burton Shipyard made use of tremendous amounts of asbestos, which put the health of employees at great risk. By cutting and sanding building materials containing asbestos to install on the vessels, toxic dust would be produced, which employees would inevitably breathe in. If you had a job at this company during the last century, you should pay close attention to your health.