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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 1dAG6O30JRIVvT+VHJiUWw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001412840-07-000002.txt : 20070919
<SEC-HEADER>0001412840-07-000002.hdr.sgml : 20070919
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070919174246
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001412840-07-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070917
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070919
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070919

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GULF ISLAND FABRICATION INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001031623
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FABRICATED STRUCTURAL METAL PRODUCTS [3440]
		IRS NUMBER:				721147390
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			LA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GULF ISLAND FABRICATION INC
		STREET 2:		583 THOMPSON RD
		CITY:			HOUMA
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70361
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5048722100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 310
		CITY:			HOUMA
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70361

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Wishart John
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001412840

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22303
		FILM NUMBER:		071125410

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		281-249-7435

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11700 OLD KATY ROAD, SUITE 150
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77079
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-09-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001031623</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GULF ISLAND FABRICATION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GIFI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001412840</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Wishart John</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>11700 OLD KATY ROAD, SUITE 150</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77079</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-09-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>800000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>34.25</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>789067</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>by Aransas Partners</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities and the inclusion of these shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any purpose.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>John Wishart</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-09-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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