Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, a family-owned and operated shipyard since 1955, is located on 7 acres on the deepwater Taunton River in Somerset, Massachusetts. Our facilities, protected by a video security system, include:
- 60,000 sq. ft. of heated, indoor fabrication capabilities, which include plasma cutting and three press breaks and shears
- 10,000 sq. ft. of secure storage buildings
- 4,200 sq. ft. office building
- 600-ton railway
- 260-foot high-capacity, deep-draft pier
- Up to 100 employees
The shipyard’s long-standing commitment to ongoing maintenance has led to numerous capital projects that make its operations more efficient and safer for employees. These include, for example, replacing old, heavy bi-fold doors on one of its shops. What took two cranes and as many as six employees to open and close the doors now takes minutes by one person. Additionally, a grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) helped purchase a new custom 35-ton self-propelled Hostar trailer, intended to move vessels less than 60 feet more safely and efficiently. A grant from the State of Massachusetts was used to build a sheltered plate storage yard to efficiently store metal plating on racks under cover.
“This boat’s done everything we hoped it would do. It’s fast, light, fuel efficient, easy to maintain. It’s just a fantastic boat.”
—Capt. Whit Smith, President
Charleston Branch Pilots