Page 62: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2024)

IN THE SHIPYARD

All photos courtesy Blount Boats

BLOUNT BOATS

TURNS 75

FROM A SIMPLE RAFT TO SMALL SHIPS lount Boats was founded by Luther H. Blount in 1949, ily tradition alive and well in this twenty-? rst century. Our team celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. After building of highly skilled employees are the backbone of building small a small twin hull raft built of 55 gallon drums used for ships to ? ll the needs of our customers.” State’s Marcia Blount,

Btransporting oyster and clam shells across Narragan- President / CFO. “My sister Julie, who’s the Executive Vice sett Bay, he began receiving requests to build larger steel vessels. President / Human Resources and I are focused on our mission of

Luther by nature was an entrepreneur and inventor. His ? rst superior workmanship, innovation and proven reliability to con- commercial boat was a 77-ft. steel catamaran which led to a bid tinue Blount Boats as a successful leader in the marine industry.” he won to construct a fuel oil service vessel using the same cata- With more than 379 hulls and counting the Blount sisters maran concept based on two cylindrical ? oats which he dubbed work diligently to stay faithful to their mission with an earned the “twin tube.” His design succeeded and was followed by a reputation for building the “Taskmasters of the Sea.” progression of larger and more complex monohull vessels in a 75 Years and Counting quantum expansion of his Warren, Rhode Island shipyard.

From its modest beginnings to the present-day Blount Boats, Blount Boats, Inc. is a full-service shipyard specializing in

Inc. designs, builds and repairs steel and aluminum, state of design, construction and repair of steel and aluminum vessels the art vessels up to 220 feet. Many types have been engi- up to 220 feet. Founded as Blount Marine Corporation in 1949 neered at the shipyard such as passenger and vehicle ferries, by Luther H. Blount (1916-2006), the company is privately stern trawlers, offshore supply vessels, dinner boats and small held and managed by the Blount family. cruise vessels. In recent years Blount has built U.S. ? agged After Luther Blount built his ? rst boat, a 77-ft. steel catama- crew transfer vessels for the wind farms off the east coast. ran, he bid and won a job to construct a fuel oil service vessel “As a third-generation business we are proud to keep our fam- using the same catamaran concept based on two cylindrical 62 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • November 2024

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