Industrial accident kills Montegut man

Amidst tragedy, Elevated Boats Inc. – a Houma liftboat manufacturer – plans for a difficult and lengthy recovery.

A crane used for new construction activities at EBI’s Houma site unexpectedly failed last Tuesday, causing the death of Heath Perkins, 30, and injuring Larry Naquin, 60. Both were Terrebonne Parish residents.

“The crane operator was operating a 400-ton fixed-land crane with a 200-foot boom,” Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois said in a press release. “The operator was in the process of picking up a 30-ton certified weight from an 18-wheeler flat-bed truck.”

According to Ken Serigne, EBI’s president, the crane had been in use for many years.

“As the weight was being placed on the ground next to the fabrication shop, the boom of the crane crashed down into [a nearby] building,” continued Bourgeois.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Terrebonne Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness, Houma Police, Houma and Grand Caillou fire departments and Acadian Ambulance Service all responded to the accident.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and EBI have started investigations into what caused the boom to fall.

And EBI has moved forward with “full cooperation,” said Serigne, supplying OSHA

“…with all the records they have requested.”

For now, EBI is waiting on an expert opinion for what happened. But “we will find out what happened,” Serigne added.

The hardest part of the ordeal is dealing with the loss of a fellow employee and friend, the company president said.

“Part of this is taking care of the [Perkins’] family…and doing everything in our power to be there for them.

We’re a very, very close family here, so it’s hard on everyone,” he added.

EBI has received an abundance of support from the Houma community including “…customers, competitors, vendors, colleagues and family,” said Serigne. “I want to personally thank everyone for that.”

With the loss of life comes also the loss of new construction capabilities.

“What we lost from a financial standpoint is new construction… but as far as business viability, we’ll be OK,” he added.

EBI has three facilities: manufacturing, machining and a boat fleet that is handled dockside.

“Fortunately for our business, we’re a bit diverse,” said Serigne.

While it may take time, EBI expects a full recovery, emotionally and financially.

Naquin has been released from the hospital and is awaiting “procedures on his ankles,” Serigne said.

In 25 years, this is the most tragic accident Serigne has seen.

“We must find strength and recover… and continue to provide employment for our people,” he said. “It’s going to take some time, but we’re committed.”

A 400-ton fixed-land crane with a 200-foot boom crashed into a building at Elevated Boats Inc, a Houma liftboat manufacturer, last Tuesday. One worker was killed and a second was injured in the accident. * Photo courtesy of TPSO