Blount Boats delivers icebreaking buoy tender
Written by Marine Log StaffDelivered earlier this year by the Blount Boats shipyard in Warren, R.I., an icebreaking buoy tender ordered in July 2020, the M/V Eddie Somers, is now in service with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Homeported at Somers Cove Marina port at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Md., the 94 x 27 foot vessel will replace the M/V J. Milliard Tawes after nearly 50 years’ service.
Designed by BMT Designers and Planners, the shallow draft vessel is powered by Cummins QSK19, Tier III marine engines, each producing 750 hp @1,800 rpm, Twin Disc MGX-5202SC marine generator sets and two 42 x 27 inch, 5 blade NIBRAL propellers. The boat additionally has a 5-ton knuckle boom crane for buoy and debris removal applications.
in addition to placing buoys and performing other functions, the boat will serve as the primary icebreaking asset for Crisfield Harbor and Smith Island, As was the M/V Tawes, the M/V Somers will also be a lifeline to Smith Island when the waters surrounding it freeze over, with the boat clearing a path for supply and shuttle boats.
Under a cooperative agreement with Virginia and the U.S. Coast Guard, the M/V Somers will also provide this service to Tangier Island in Virginia when requested. During heavy ice seasons, all food, fuel, medicine, and emergency transport going to and from the islands are supplied by the vessel.
The Department’s Hydrographic Operations team, based on the Eastern Shore, operates four large boats that perform various duties throughout the Chesapeake Bay. The department’s boats are shallow draft enabling them to serve rivers and shallow areas of the Bay.