Blount Delivers Commuter Boat To Fire Island Ferries

Blount Marine Corporation, Warren, R.I., recently delivered t h e commuter boat Fireball (shown above) to Fire Island Ferries, Inc. of Bay Shore, N.Y. The 75-foot by 18-foot by 5-foot 2-inch vessel is powered by three turbocharged GM Detroit Diesel 12 V-71 engines, each rated 340 bhp at 1,800 rpm. On trials, a speed of 23.5 knots was attained. The delivery trip was made at an average speed of 18.5 knots. An aluminum superstructure is mounted on a Mayari R50 steel hull. Molded fiberglass benches are fastenened to the upper and lower decks.

Blount has specialized in the design and development of fast commuter boats over the past 10 years. They are used principally in the high-traffic Fire Island area.

The two-deck Fireball will carry 300 passengers on the 7V2-mile run between Bay Shore and Fire Island on a regular schedule. The ferry company estimates that the vessel will make between 700 and 1,000 trips during the season. The Fireball joins four other Blountbuilt commuter boats operated by the ferry company.

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.