b'MEMBER NEWSBlount Boats Delivers New Vessel To Maryland Department Of Natural ResourcesE arlier this spring, the M/V Eddie Somers completeditsdeliveryvoyagetoits home port at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Md. The 94x27 foot buoy tender/ice breaker built for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and will replace the M/V J. Milliard Tawes after nearly 50 years in service. The M/V Eddie Somers, designed by BMT, was constructed at the Blount Boats shipyardINNOVATIVE. inWarren,R.I.BothcompaniesarePVA members. The shallow draft vessel is powered byCumminsQSK19,TierIIImarineen- UNIQUE.ALL AMERICAN MARINEgines, each producing 750HP@1,800RPM, Twin Disc MGX-5202SC marine generator sets and, two 42x27, 5 blade NIBRAL pro- PROVEN.pellers.Theboatadditionallyhasa5-ton knuckleboomcraneforbuoyanddebris removal applications. The boat will serve as the primary icebreaking asset for Crisfield Harbor and Smith Island, in addition to placing buoys and performing other functions. The M/V Somers will also be a lifeline to Smith Island when the waters surrounding it freeze over, with the boat clear-ing a path for supply and shuttle boats. By cooperative agreement with Virginia through the U.S. Coast Guard, the M/V Somers will also provide this service to Tangier Island in Virginiawhenrequested.Duringheavyice PHOTO COURTESY OF BLOUNT BOATSseasons, all food, fuel, medicine, and emergen-cy transport going to and from the islands are supplied by the vessel.ALLAMERICANMARINE.comBellingham, WA | 360.647.7602Pictured: SWIFTSURE - A 150 Passenger, hydrofoil-assisted catamaran, custom built for Puget Sound Express39 AUGUST 2022'