BLOUNT/BARKER SHIPBUILDING

Blount-Barker Shipbuilding Formed

Blount-Barker Shipbuilding Corporation was recently formed and James A. Barker has been named the President and CEO. Blount-Barker, based in Warren, R.I., specializes in the design and shipbuilding of tugboats, cruise ships, high-speed ferries and dinner and passenger vessels. The new company takes over the activities of the Blount Marine and Blount Industries entities, and operates as a separate corporation. As part of the new venture, Mr. Barker assumes management of Blount's shipyard and personnel, with the option to purchase the operations should they be sold in the future. "Jim Barker brings complementary experience that will greatly enhance the capabilities of the new Blount-Barker venture," said Luther H. Blount, founder of Blount Marine and Blount Industries. Blount, 84, will remain active in the day-to-day shipyard operation for Blount-Barker. "Through this new venture, we intend to maximize the superior naval architecture design and shipbuilding capabilities of Blount Marine and Blount Industries," said Jim Barker. "We also plan to expand into larger commercial vessels in the coming years," he added. Blount Marine was founded in 1949 by Luther Blount, and today extends over six acres in Warren with a staff of more than 50. Blount Marine has been a leading innovator in the shipbuilding industry for more than half a century. Luther Blount holds 21 U.S patents for numerous inventions, including the stern trawler and the net/drum technology.

Bristol Harbor Will Modify Tug

Bristol Harbor Marine Design (BHMD) was recently awarded the contract from Blount/Barker Shipbuilding, of Warren R.I., to modify the design of an 85 ft. tug. The new tug is based on an 85 ft. tug currently under construction at the yard, the design of which was developed by BHMD and based on a classic Blount design. BHMD will take advantage of Computerized Numeric Controlled (CNC) cutting for the hull and deckhouse modification

Blount/Barker Launches New 55-ft. Harbor Tug

Blount/Barker Shipbuilding launched a 55-ft. twin screw harbor tug on March 8 at the company’s shipyard in Warren, R.I. Special features ordered by the purchaser, Tutor-Saliba/Koch/Tidewater JV of Sylmar, Calif., include push knee for towing jumbo barges. The vessel will be used in the seismic retrofit of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge in northern California, which was damaged in a recent earthquake. The twin screw tug is powered by two Caterpillar 3412C diesel engines producing 615 hp

Blount-Barker Awarded Contract For Conversion

Blount-Barker Shipbuilding signed a contract on April 15th with Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) to convert the M/V Essex to passenger only service. The 100 ft. open deck passenger/auto ferry with single ended propulsion will be converted to increase the maximum capacity from 149 to 600. Modifications include a conversion to double ended propulsion, enclosing the main deck and providing a steel canopy to cover the upper deck

Blount Delivers 130-ft. Crowther Catamaran

The 442 passenger, fast catamaran Atlanticat was delivered to it’s hailing port of Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Monday, July 21, 2003. The vessel, built for B.B.O., LLC will be operating as Acadian Whale Adventures out of Bar Harbor, Maine and used for off shore whale watching during the summer months and commuter service in Key West, Florida during the winter. The 7,200 hp aluminum catamaran is powered by (4) Cummins KTA-50 engines; ZF4600D gears with (2) Cummins ONAN 95 kW generators

Blount Boats Awarded Contract for Casco Bay Ferry

Blount Boats, Inc. has been awarded a contract by the Maine Department of Transportation to build a 110-ft passenger ferry for the Casco Bay Island Transit District. The design specifications are similar to the Aucocisco III, which were developed by Seaworthy Systems. The proposed 399 passenger, Sub-Chapter K vessel will operate year round ferry service to islands in Casco Bay, Portland, Maine. The vessel will be equipped with electronically controlled diesel engines that meet the latest

Blount Industries' M/V Grande Mariner

Blount Industries newest cruise ship, M/V Grande Mariner, was built for American Canadian Caribbean Line, Inc. It is the second in a new line of Grande Class small cruise ships, built and designed for the American Canadian Caribbean Line, Inc. The 183 ft. ship accommodates 100 passengers, and is designed with several ACCL innovations, includinug patented bow ramp, shallow draft and retractable pilot house. Grande Mariner also features super-quiet engines and generators

JRC Gets New Staff Additions

Japan Radio Company, Ltd., announces the addition of three new members to the staff in North America. Buddy Morgan is national sales manager in light marine and commercial fishing, Dennis Hogan is high seas sales manager and Patricia Beth Barker is public relations and marketing coordinator. 2003 begins the introduction of a new line of cutting edge Marine Electronics with innovative designs and advanced technology, which is an expansion into the pleasure craft Marine Electronics sector.

ABS Elects Members and Corporate Officers

At the recent Board of Directors and Council meetings of the international classification society ABS, 26 prominent members of the shipping and offshore industries were elected as new members of the society, as well as a new member elected to its technical committee and two corporate officer positions. The newly elected members serving a five year term are: Mark W. Barker , President, Interlake Steamship Company Angela A. Chao , Senior Vice President, Foremost Group

Blount Contract for Chicago Tour Boat Company

Blount Boats, Inc. has signed a contract with Wendella Sightseeing Company, Inc. to construct an 89 by 30-ft steel excursion vessel. This vessel will be a sister ship to the M/V Wendella (Hull 320) built by the Blount shipyard in 2007.  The vessel was designed by Timothy Graul Marine Design and will operate in the Chicago area. The 300 passenger vessel will be powered by twin screw C12 Caterpillar engines, 385hp at 1,800 rpm with ZF gears