Tag: South Carolina Memorial Reef project

Metal Trades: 60 Years of Community Involvement!

Posted on by Michael Lively

Metal Trades, Inc. was founded by the late Ted Corbin in 1962. Sixty years later, MTI is still owned and operated by second-generation members of the Corbin Family, and it continues to thrive.

A Positive Community Impact

All their lives, the Corbin Family has lived in the Meggett/Yonges Island Community. From the inception of Metal Trades, the company has continually sought to make a positive impact in the community. We have long supported local businesses, from the subcontractor to the corner store. We have fostered local talent in the surrounding areas as we built our workforce and apprenticeships, helping to generate jobs in FIVE surrounding counties.

MTI Supports Our Schools

Metal Trades Inc. has regularly found ways to support our area schools. Recent efforts include sponsoring student athletics at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. We have also made donations to support the Sunshine Committee at Baptist Hill Middle High School. This is a program that strives to create a positive working environment for teachers and staff that, in turn, positively impacts the students.

mti community involvement
Metal Trades supports enrichment programs at Baptist Hill Middle High School
mti community involvement
MTI supports athletic programs at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School

Community Beautification

Over the last couple of years, Metal Trades has organized trash pickups on Highway 165 and participated in Meggett Town Hall Clean Up events as well. MTI owners and staff share a very real commitment to our surrounding community. After all, we not only work here, but we also call it Home.

mti community involvement
Metal Trades participates in Route 165 cleanup events

Individual Opportunity

Metal Trades, Inc. wants to be recognized as a leader in the surrounding community, as well as a great place to work. We continually encourage local talent to apply for open positions with our company and join the generations of welders, fitters, machinists, and electricians who have enjoyed long and fulfilling careers as part of the Metal Trades family.

MTI’s Ongoing Community Commitment

Over the many decades, Metal Trades has maintained a commitment to helping our people, our communities, and our schools to grow and thrive. It is a commitment we reaffirm, now and in the future! We invite you to learn more about Metal Trades, Inc at our website.

Sustainability Watch: MTI Aids Artificial Reef Project

Posted on by Michael Lively

A new artificial reef off the coast of South Carolina is boosting ocean wildlife sustainability, and Metal Trades is proud to have played its part!

Artificial Reef projects are a major component of ocean sustainability efforts worldwide. In “dead spots” where a natural reef is not present or is not vibrant enough to support plant and animal life, artificial reefs are employed. It so happens that the South Carolina coast, in its natural state, is one of those dead spots.

“Avid offshore fishing enthusiasts know that the state of SC suffers from a lack of natural habitat to attract and hold fish. Thanks to the South Carolina Memorial Reef projects, what was a desert is now one of the most productive areas off our coast…”   SCMemorialReef.com

Decommissioned Ships Become Wildlife Reef Habitats

 The SC Memorial Reef Project has been working to bolster ocean wildlife, as well as provide improved opportunities for sport fishing. Often these efforts involve sinking decommissioned sea vessels.

“Large, complex structures…create ideal habitats for a diversity of species. For example, the numerous internal compartments will provide refuge for smaller juvenile fish, while the extensive cargo holds will be useful to larger fish. The vast amount of surface area will allow for expansive invertebrate settlement and growth, which can serve as sanctuaries for larval fish, provide food for juvenile and adult fish, and improve overall water quality.”

M/V Coastal Venture Gets a New Lease on Life

Such a “large, complex structure” is the M/V Coastal Venture, a 250-foot, recently decommissioned cargo vessel. Coastal Venture was something of a Metal Trades alum, having graced our railway in the recent past. In fact, at one time she was one of the heaviest vessels we had docked. As we have grown, however, we have hosted vessels her size or larger in our drydock, including Rail Car Barges, Crane Barges, and multiple dredge vessels.

Promoting Life, and Memorializing It

 In addition to its new function as wildlife habitation, the M/V Coastal Venture also furthers the mission of the SC Memorial Reef: to “forever honor the men and women we’ve loved and lost in South Carolina’s sport fishing community.”  To that end, memorial plaques were affixed to the hull, as well as a steel cross on the stern of the vessel built by the Metal Trades team.

With holes strategically cut in the hull and the aid of water cannons, it still required ten hours to sink the M/V Coastal Venture. Take a look at the following photos of the process!

sink boat photo 9

sink boat photo 10

sink boat photo 11

sink boat photo 12

The South Carolina Memorial Reef is an ongoing project. Metal Trades encourages you to learn more about their sustainability efforts by visiting https://www.scmemorialreef.com/.

 


Metal Trades, Inc. (MTI) is a family owned business located just south of Charleston, South Carolina operating with deep water access on the intracoastal waterway. We have been in business since 1962 and have extensive past performance in Heavy Steel Fabrication, Manufacturing, Machining, Vessel Construction and Vessel Maintenance and Repair for both commercial and Government customers.

” J.E. Corbin, Jr. founded Metal Trades, Inc. in 1962 with a pickup truck, a welding machine, and years of metal fabricating experience. Since that time MTI established a solid reputation for its multi-skilled work force and strong commitment to high quality.”

 

Request for Quote or Information