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American Canadian Caribbean Line News

23 May 2012

Cruise Ship Returns to Erie Canal

Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation.

Grande Mariner was Stranded on Canal System During 2011 Flooding. The M/V Grande Mariner, a 96-passenger cruise ship that was stranded for more than two months because of flooding in 2011, today returned to the Erie Canal for a new season of cruising America's most storied waterway. The ship, and a sister-ship, M/V Niagara Princes, both owned by Blount Small Ship Adventures in Warren, R.I., was among a handful of ships stranded on the New York State Canal system because of destructive high waters in August and September brought on by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

23 Apr 2001

Blount Names Daughter As ACCL Successor

Maritime veteran Captain Luther Blount, the 84-year-old founder of American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL), has named his daughter, Nancy Blount, as president of the small ship cruise line. Captain Blount, the founder and president of the line, which is headquartered in Warren, R.I., has retired as president of ACCL. While he will still hold the title of the line’s chairman, Nancy will assume duties as president – making here one of the few women to hold such a post in the cruise industry. “We have had a succession in place for some time,” Captain Blount said. “Over the years, Nancy has been assuming more responsibility in the operations of our cruise line. Prior to her current position, Ms.

22 Jul 2004

Grande Mariner to Visit Port of Duluth-Superior

The Grande Mariner, a 183-ft., 100-passenger U.S. cruise vessel, is scheduled to make her third visit to the Port of Duluth-Superior on July 22. The vessel is scheduled to arrive at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) dock at approximately noon on Thursday, where it will be greeted by a welcoming ceremony that will include the Duluth Community Band. The Grande Mariner, which called at Duluth twice last year, is visiting the Port this month as part of a “Lake Superior Grande Tour” offered by American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL). The Port of Duluth-Superior will be used as a debarkation/embarkation point for the cruise vessel, which is scheduled to depart at noon on July 25 with new passengers. This tour for the vessel commences in Chicago, Ill., and ends in Warren, R.I.

27 Dec 2000

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.

24 Jan 2001

Blount-Barker Shipbuilding Formed, Barker Named CEO

Blount-Barker Shipbuilding Corp. was recently formed, and James A. Barker has been named the President and CEO of this new venture. 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, 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.

14 Mar 2001

Blount Retires From ACCL; Names Daughter As Successor

Maritime veteran Captain Luther Blount has done it again in terms of firsts in the maritime industry - the 84-year-old founder of American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL) has named his daughter, Nancy Blount as president of the small ship cruise line. Captain Blount, the founder and president of the line, which is headquartered in Warren, R.I., has retired as president of ACCL. While he will still hold the title of the line's chairman, Nancy will assume duties as president - making here one of the few women to hold such a post in the cruise industry. "We have had a succession in place for some time," Captain Blount said. "Over the years, Nancy has been assuming more responsibility in the operations of our cruise line. Prior to her current position, Ms.

15 Nov 2006

Blount's Cruise Ship Gift is Completed

Late shipbuilder and philanthropist Luther Blount offered to donate a cruise ship from his American Canadian Caribbean Line to benefit Roger Williams University, Rhode Island College and Boston’s Wentworth Institute of Technology. Now that the 175-foot M/V Niagara Price has completed its last cruise, its ownership has officially been transferred. On Nov. 1, the three universities took possession of the Niagara Prince, valued at $6.5 million, which will remain docked at Promet Marine Services in Providence until it is sold. The colleges are to split the proceeds; broker Marcon International of Coupeville, Wash., is working to sell the ship on their behalf. Source: Providence Business Journal

15 Jan 2003

Passenger Vessels:A New England Shipyard Comes of Age

When MR/EN traveled up to the New England coast this past fall as part of a New England shipyard swing, we were expecting to meet the great one himself — Luther H. Blount — who could be informally known as the "father" of New England shipbuilding. Blount began his career so many years ago with the construction of a 77-ft. steel catamaran, was the first of many greater and more technologically innovative vessels that would later earn the designation as Blount crafted. Over the years, Blount oversaw the daily operations of his yard, managing to get his hands dirty on the overall production process. Carefully designing every vessel to a tee with a pencil and sketch pad…

31 Aug 1999

American Builder Makes Good in Cruise Industry

The U.S. shipbuilding industry has not been too successful in the cruise market, but one American builder has found a comfortable niche in the trade, not only building ships, but marketing and operating them as well. The "ships" are relatively small but they are well known in the U.S. and Canadian tourism markets and carry a high number of repeat passengers. Captain Luther H. Blount, 82, considered the father of adventure cruising, is also the founder of American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL), a cruise line that probably enjoys the highest repeat passenger rate in the entire cruise industry. Blount established Blount Industries shipyard in 1949 after building a small catamaran out of old oil drums for the local oyster trade.

02 Sep 1999

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, ice-strengthening and a specially designed clear air system. The ship's hull is steel constructed with an aluminum superstructure. It is powered by two D2842LE Man diesel engines, producing 1,440 bhp @ 1,800 rpm. The engines turn two five-blade 48 x 39 in.

27 Jan 2000

ACCL Adds New Itineraries for 2000

Known as the original smallship cruise line, American Canadian Caribbean Line (ACCL), has established 25 new itineraries for the year 2000. Included in the new schedule are: Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; seven-day Belize/Barrier Reef; Chicago/Upper Mississippi; and Great Lakes/Quebec City. Able to hold between 84 and 100 passengers each, ACCL's three-vessel fleet Grande Caribe, Grande Mariner and Niagara Prince kicked off the new year in Central America and the Caribbean. Next summer Niagara Prince will travel the northern rivers and lakes near Chicago.