OSHA Fines Mississippi Shipbuilder Over Deadly Explosion Last Year

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined shipbuilder VT Halter Marine $1.3 million following an investigation into last year’s deadly explosion aboard a tugboat.

The Nov. 20 explosion killed 2 subcontractors and injured two others at the company’s shipyard in Escatawpa.

VT Halter Marine CEO Bill Skinner said at the time that the explosion occurred inside a 120-foot articulated tug barge as a crew was cleaning and prepping a tank for painting.

Authorities said 52-year-old Dwight Monroe of Moss Point and 25-year-old Alex Caballera of Pascagoula died in the explosion.