Brett Dungan
Preserving Oral Histories of Waterfront-Related Pursuits in Bayou La Batre
Bayou La Batre, like other Gulf coastal fishing towns, is undergoing rapid change associated with international market pressures while being threatened by pleasure industry development. As a result, its people are losing key aspects of their traditional lifeways. This oral history film project is an attempt to preserve remembrances and knowledge obtained through such fading ways of life. The principal investigator is Gregory A. Waselkov, with associate investigators Michael Stieber and Harriet L. Richardson Seacat. The project was completed in September 2008, and the collection is housed at the Center for Archaeological Studies at the University of South Alabama, located at HUMB 34, 307 North University Boulevard, Mobile, Alabama 36688. Another location where the collection is housed is the University of South Alabama Archives in Springhill Room 0722, Mobile, Alabama 36688.
National Capital Contracting
This interview with Brett Dungan was conducted by Michael Stieber and took place on August 5, 2008. Brett Dungan is the president of Master Marine, a shipyard based in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Dungan moved to Bayou La Batre in January 1978 and has been actively involved in the boat-building industry since then. The interview provides a comprehensive overview of Master Marine’s history and its role in the boat-building industry of Bayou La Batre. Dungan describes how Master Marine, established in 1961, was one of the first shipyards in the area and played a pivotal role in transitioning from wooden to steel boats, which marked a significant evolution in boat building. He shares insights into the markets Master Marine serves, which have shifted from commercial shrimp trawlers to the offshore oil industry and inland transportation over the years. Dungan also discusses the impact of federal regulations, such as the Magnuson Act of 1976, which extended U.S. jurisdiction over waters up to 200 miles from the coast. This led to a surge in demand for commercial fishing boats, resulting in a boom for local shipyards. He reflects on the challenges and changes in the boat-building industry, including the increased competition for waterfront property, environmental regulations, and the necessity for more sophisticated skills and training for workers. The interview touches on Dungan’s personal experiences, including his rise through the ranks at Master Marine and his involvement in the Alabama Working Waterfront Coalition. He highlights the resilience and adaptability of the local community, particularly in the aftermath of hurricanes like Katrina, and the importance of maintaining access to waterfronts for various uses, from commercial fishing to recreational activities. Dungan concludes with his views on the future of Master Marine, emphasizing the importance of government support for research and development, environmental compliance, and training a skilled workforce to ensure the continued viability and growth of the boat-building industry in Bayou La Batre.
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