FAIRHAVEN, MA – While southern shipyards continue to be a major force in new vessel construction for the New Bedford fleet, the recent completion of the scalloper C.B. Keane by Fairhaven Shipyard Companies makes one point clear.
The 78’ steel scalloper C.B. Keane steams out of New Bedford Harbor following completion by Fairhaven Shipyard Companies in January.
(Steven Kennedy photo)
Big steel boatbuilding is back in New England and Fairhaven Shipyard is leading the charge.
When father-son team Kirk Larson Sr. and Kirk Larson Jr. steamed the Keane past the New Bedford Harbor hurricane barrier and out to sea in mid-January, it marked delivery of the third new fishing vessel by Fairhaven Shipyard in recent years and the sixth new-build by the yard, overall.
Many local suppliers
Unlike many boats built down south, the C.B. Keane’s construction was all about doing business locally, whenever possible.
Designed by Fairhaven-based Farrell & Norton Naval Architects, the 78′ x 26′ Keane features a single-chine hull with 1/2″ steel deck and side plating.
The winch engine, a 325 hp John Deere 6090AFM75, was supplied by R.A. Mitchell from its shop just up the road from the shipyard, on Pope’s Island.
The yard itself supplied the two 40 kW Northern Lights gensets.
Horacio’s Welding & Sheet Metal of New Bedford supplied the shucking boxes.
Well-known local family business, Reidar’s Manufacturing, outfitted the Keane with wire rigging.
New Bedford’s T&K Marine Electronics, run by Tony Vieira, supplied and set up wheelhouse electronics.
Read the rest of this story and much, much more in the March issue of Commercial Fisheries News. Buy this issue or Subscribe.
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