Page 75: of Marine News Magazine (November 2019)

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OFFSHORE WIND

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE mand for new boat construction and covered,” said Marcia Blount. “But

While any shipyard requires con- repair, caused the Blounts to step back for the new aluminum vessels (i.e. tinual investment, Blount Boats has and evaluate how to best utilize their offshore wind farm vessels) we really been particularly steady and progres- six acres. “Simply put, we asked our- need covered space. Our future is off- sive in this regard, touting the effec- selves how can we maximize our space shore wind and offshore wind farm tiveness of small shipyard grants from to build and repair more boats.” support vessels, and we hope to be the U.S. Maritime Administration in “In years past you could build steel building and repairing many vessels in helping it fund everything from new boats outside, and the ways was never the future for the offshore wind sites.” machinery to larger capital improve- ments, including a plan to expand and modernize its current facilities to include more building space under cover, and the addition of a marine travel lift to enable it to earn more vessel repair work.

“When the MARAD grants become available we always ask our foremen for their technical and equipment ‘wish list,’ covering equipment large and small to help the yard become more ef