Page 26: of Marine News Magazine (April 2012)

26MNApril 2012Rhode Island On the East Coast & Open for Business?As the state of Rhode Island ? along with everyone else, so it seems ? works to revitalize a struggling local econo- my, it has become increasingly apparent that the marine industry will play a prominent role in that revival. In March, the Ocean States marine trade industry opened their doors to national trade media, showcasing the important work being done here in the ocean state. MarineNews Editor Joseph Keefe spent two full days there, visiting a raft of maritime businesses, marine research centers and government contractors. The primary take-away from all of that was this: Rhode Island is indeed open for business.RHODEISLAND SECONOMY: MARITIMEISKEY The two-day event focused on the states vast marine- related industries. Rhode Islands 400 miles of coastline boasts a strong cluster of marine-related industries, with numerous shipping terminals, marinas, docks and marine industrial sites. Beyond this, the University of Rhode Island ? home to world-class oceanographic research by military and private sector firms ? is joined by well-known maritime firms such as Blount Shipbuilding, Electric Boat, Hall Spars, Hinckley Yachts, Hunt Yachts, KVH Industries, New England Boatworks and Pearson Composites. A well-known and respected maritime train- Rhode Islands economic assets include a surprising number of prominent and lesser known mar- itime firms. A recent media tour hosted by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) highlighted the Ocean States key role(s) in the nations maritime industry. By Joseph KeefeBeyond (and perhaps more important than) Blounts active backorder book and busy yard is a new licensing agreement with UK-based South Boats Special Projects, Ltd., which will allow Blount to be the exclusive shipyard to manufac- ture U.S. flagged aluminum catamarans of South Boats designs for the U.S. wind farm industry.