Blount Boats Delivers Breaker II to New York Power Authority

Warren, R.I. (September 4, 2020) –On Friday, August 28th, Breaker II completed its delivery voyage to the Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant, operated by New York Power Authority, the nation’s largest state power organization. The 56-foot, twin-screw tug was designed by Bristol Harbor Group of Bristol, RI and was constructed at the Blount Boats facility in Warren, RI. The vessel was designed with a reinforced hull for breaking ice efficiently. It will operate in seasonal ice near the entrance to and within the upper Niagara River. The dual-purpose vessel will prevent ice flow from clogging the intakes to the hydroelectric power plant and facilitate the installation and removal of ice booms.

The diesel powered 56’x18.5, shallow draft tug is powered by two Caterpillar Tier III series C-9 engines, each producing 375HP@1800 RPM.
Ship’s service power comes from twin Caterpillar Tier III C2.2, 27eKW@1,800RPM marine generator sets.

Steel hull plating thickness’ range from 3/4 inch, 5/8 inch and 1/2 inch with 1 inch and 2 inch thick skeg plates. Ice Belt plating and plating to 1/3 abaft of the stem is ABS Grade “D” including the 1 inch and 2 inch skeg parts. All other plating is ABS Grade “A” steel.

The vessel’s hull, machinery, electrical systems and safety equipment complies with the new USCG Subchapter M – Towing Vessels. This is the first Subchapter M certified vessel built at the Blount shipyard.