EPA Fines New England Boatworks in Portsmouth

The boatyard was fined more than $31,000 for violations.

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined New England Boatworks, a well-known boatyard in Portsmouth, $31,000 for alleged violations, reports The Sakonnet Times.  The fine is part of a settlement to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, according to the article.  New England Boatworks allegedly emitted excess levels of volatile organic compounds, which can cause health problems, reports The Sakonnet Times. New England Boatworks is a boat builder and boatyard specializing in repair and refits. Services include mechanical and electrical repair, haulout service, paintwork, joinerwork and metalwork. This company also builds race and sports boats, such as the Volvo Ocean Race participant, the Mar Mostro; constructs yachts…

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Chris Christensen

12:01 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013

Well a little more digging as to how much and what of would have been better. I don't thing 31,000 is a large fine in the world of the EPA, and they are not to be trusted to always be acting in your best interests either. I would more wonder how they happened upon this act or the NEB?   more ›

Blizzard Causes Building Collapse at New England Boatworks

The collapsed building was discovered Saturday. No injuries were reported.

The blizzard of 2013, named Nemo, has claimed another victim — a building at New England Boatworks.  A World War II era, Quonset hut building, which was used for repairing boats at New England Boatworks, has collapsed from the weight of snow, reports The Sakonnet Times.  The building's collapse in the Melville boatyard was discovered Saturday. No injuries were reported.  Safety officials throughout the state are concerned with more roof collapses from the weight of snow. Here are several tips on how you can avoid a roof collapse. 

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Boat Owners 'Prepare for Worst, Hope for Best'

As Hurricane Sandy heads northwest, Portsmouth marinas are busy handling customer calls and requests.

While Hurricane Sandy heads northwest and its exact path remains unknown, Portsmouth marinas were flooded Friday morning answering calls and requests from boat owners.  "The phones have been ringing off the hook," says Harry Hallgring, human resources and safety director for New England Boatworks.  On Thursday, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) recommended boat owners pull their vessels out of the water and owners took notice.  Operators at both Brewers Sakonnet Marina and Pirate Cove Marina were busy with customers Friday morning.  However, the exact path of Hurricane Sandy is still unknown.  According to WHDH Meteorologist Chris Lambert, the current likely scenario would bring wind and rain Monday afternoon through …

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Navy, Portsmouth Firefighters Respond to Water Main Break at Boatyard

A water main break was reported at New England Boatworks Wednesday morning.

Portsmouth firefighters were called to a water main break Wednesday morning at New England Boatworks.  According to Portsmouth Fire Capt. Darryl Sieben, the water supply to New England Boatworks was temporarily shut off after a fire hydrant failed on the U.S. Naval base. The water main broke shortly after the water supply was shut down.  "Their (New England Boatworks) water supply comes off the Navy base," Sieben said.  The Portsmouth Fire Department responded after receiving a "trouble alarm" at 8:24 a.m. It is unknown how much water flowed from the break.  The water main appears to be fixed at this time.  "The Navy has restored water to the complex and is working on what broke," Sieben said. 

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New England Boatworks To Increase Workforce

A new process at New England Boatworks means more jobs in the Melville section of town.

New England Boatworks is expected to increase its employee two to three percent, according to a report on PlasticNews.com.  The increase in employment is due to the addition of in-house autoclave processing, a technique previously done off-site.  The Portsmouth company is currently building a 72-foot-long Mini-Maxi racing boat. The company employs a staff of 115 workers at this time. 

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PUMA Racing Boat's Mast Breaks On Way to South Africa

The mast broke on Nov. 21 on Mar Mostro, a racing boat built at New England Boatworks in Portsmouth. A Bristol company is now working quickly to build a replacement mast for the local crew.

Boat Yards, Marinas Remain Busy As Hurricane Irene Heads North

Officials at two local boat yards say they are at capacity bringing owners boats to safety.

As Hurricane Irene drives up the coast to meet Southern New England, area boat owners say they are very concerned. That concern has transferred to orders at New England Boatworks and Brewers Sakonnet Marina to pull their boats from the water. At Brewer Sakonnet Marina, the phones were ringing off the hook. According to General Manager Dave Rodrigues, they have hauled out six boats in the last day and have 17 more scheduled as of Thursday night to be taken out before Irene hits. All the slips are filled and they are only pulling out power boats. The reason they are only focusing on the power boats and not sail boats is because with the very high winds sailboats in the boat yards act like kites and become dangerous said Rodrigues. “Also, …

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