Blount Marine Launches Excursion Boat Spirit of Boston

Warren, Rhode Island-based shipbuilder Blount Marine Corporation recently launched and christened the latest addition to the growing Cruise International fleet, the dinner/excursion boat M/V Spirit of Boston. The Spirit was the first boat launched from Blount Marine's new shipway.

Being constructed for Holiday Cruise II, a subsidiary of Cruise International headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the 600-passenger Spirit of Boston, which will operate in Boston Harbor, was called "the finest (one) of its kind," by owner Richard D. O'Leary, president of Cruise International.

Commenting on the Spirit of Boston, Luther H. Blount, president of Blount Marine, said, "She represents the peak of design and construction of the last 40 years at Blount Marine. I am very proud of the workers of Blount Marine who have done a terrific job preparing the Spirit of Boston for her scheduled delivery on May 1." Mr. Blount said that the Spirit of Boston was similar in some respects to the Spirit of New York, a dinner/excursion boat delivered by Blount Marine to Cruise International in 1987. "She (the Spirit of Boston) incorporates some changes by the owner and is actually a foot longer than the Spirit of New York, even though she is listed as 192 feet long," said Mr. Blount.

Other noticeable changes from earlier designs are the Boston's sleek megayacht profile and enlarged pilothouse. Additionally, the vessel's superstructure has been extended on the aft part of the third deck to conceal her stacks.

Besides Mr. Blount and Mr.

O'Leary, other dignitaries on hand included: Anne Lawler, the ship's sponsor; her husband, Beverly Lawler, chairman of the board, Lawler, Ballard Advertising, and a member of the board of directors of Cruise International; Marcia L.

Blount, executive vice president of Blount Marine; Ronald Baer, shipyard manager; D.M. Sennott, representative of Senator Chaffee; Ken Willette, representative of Governor Edward DiPrete of Rhode Island; and representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Providence—Capt.

Eric J. Williams III, Captain jaf the Port; Comdr. L.A. Doyle, executive officer; Lt. Comdr. T. Moniz, Chief of Inspection; CW03 T.

Blair, Marine Inspection; and CW02 S. Hall, Marine Inspection.

Pastor Bertrand L. Theroux gave the ship's blessing.

The Spirit of Boston has an overall length of 193 feet, beam of 36 feet, depth at amidships of 10 feet 5 inches, and full load draft of 7 feet.

Her propulsion machinery consists of two Caterpillar 3408 marine diesel engines, Twin Disc MG-514 reduction gears and a pair of 48-inch by 32-inch Columbian propellers.

Upon her delivery in May, the Spirit of Boston will join six other ships built by Blount Marine for Cruise International. The ships are based in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, and New Jersey.

For free literature detailing the building facilities and services of Blount Marine, Circle 9 1 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 11, May 1990

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