WARREN – The M/V Plum Island, a 120-foot cargo-passenger ferry constructed by Blount Boats Inc. for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is slated to be launched tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Sea trials are planned late this month, and delivery is scheduled for mid-May, the shipyard said.
The Plum Island will carry 100 tons of cargo and up to 149 passengers on regular ferry runs between New York’s Orient Point, Long Island and Plum Island. Its two KT38 Cummins engines will give it a total of 2,600 horsepower.
The new vessel is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, under Subchapter T, for lakes, bays and sounds less than 20 miles from shore.
It is the 319th vessel to be built by the Blount shipyard, which has been in continuous operation since 1949.
Blount Boats Inc., founded by the late Luther H. Blount, is managed by his children, Julie Blount, president; Marcia Blount, chief financial officer; and Nancy Blount, director. It employs 50 workers in many capacities. Additional information is available at blountboats.com.
