EAST BOOTHBAY -- Gov. John Baldacci toured the Washburn & Doughty Shipyard on Tuesday, pledging assistance from the state to help the company and its workers get back on their feet.

"I've never seen so much damage. It's just awful," Baldacci said as he looked over the charred remains of the yard. "First and foremost, we want to help the workers and make sure they are supported."

Baldacci said he would help the company in any way that he could in finding temporary work space, and he put a call out to any other area shipyards, asking that they employ any displaced workers that they could. He did not specify what extra support his administration might be planning.

As the governor toured the site with company officials and representatives from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and the Maine Department of Labor, workers were shoring up two massive tug hulls damaged in the fire and dangerously positioned in the tangle of burned metal and wood. Operations Manager Lee Smith said the company hoped inspectors could get a close look at the hulls on Friday and determine whether they are salvageable.

The customer for the hulls, a Connecticut-based tug service, sent several representatives to help with the clean up.

"Moran has a vested interest here," Moran Construction Supervisor Larry O'Rourke said. Washburn & Doughty has already build 19 tugs for Moran, and was working on three more when the fire swept through the shipyard last Friday. One tug that wasn't damaged is due to be completed in a few weeks, and is bound for work in New York, moving barges of oil, O'Rourke said.

"It's a long partnership we've had with this yard," he said.

Baldacci and company officials noted the outpouring of help from various companies and community members.

"Everybody pulling together is how we get things done," Baldacci said. "This is what Maine is all about."

The town of Boothbay has created an emergency fund for workers, as has the local land trust. A neighboring shipbuilder has allowed Washburn to set up office space and use their meeting rooms. The town selectmen have offered Washburn & Doughty the use of a public boat launch as a temporary work site and a nearby firehouse for meetings or office space.

"It was an eye-opener to see how fast the local government and the governor's team and everybody stepped forward," owner Bruce Doughty said Tuesday. "They were all here while the fire was still burning."

Washburn & Doughty temporarily laid off 65 workers Monday, keeping 35 employees on board to work on the unfinished tug. Company official said they hoped to rehire their workers as soon as possible. The fire caused an estimated $30 million in damage.

The governor mingled with several dozen workers who were at the tour. One, the company's safety compliance officer, described for the governor what it was like when the fire broke out, and how workers got out quickly and safely.

"We had a plan and it worked like clockwork," Ton Adams said.

Lou Mihalos, the foreman for the pipefitters, said he was in his office when the fire started.

"I went down there and made sure my guys were all right," he said. "(The fire) was extremely fast and I was extremely proud of all those guys. Everyone was watching out for everyone else."

The State Fire Marshal determined on Monday that the fire was started accidentally by a spark from a cutting torch.

Also touring the site was state Rep. Bruce MacDonald and local town selectmen.

Washburn & Doughty has not had any major safety violations in the past, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Since 1979, it has been inspected 16 times by OSHA, sometimes resulting in small fines generally in the $500 to $2,000 range, according to regional OSHA spokesman John Chavez.

The most serious violations were in 2000, resulting in a fine of $8,575, primarily for failing to meet respiratory protection standards, according to OSHA records.

Adams, the company safety compliance officer, said the company has ongoing safety training and is inspected quarterly by either local or federal inspectors.