Bristol Marine: Investing for the Future
Strengthening Our Waterfronts, Communities, and Maritime Legacy
Bristol Marine continues to strengthen its capabilities and enhance the waterfronts that serve as the foundation of our business. Across all four locations, we are making strategic investments to improve infrastructure, expand accessibility, and build long-term resilience. These efforts not only support our customers and operations but also contribute to the vitality of the communities we call home.
Expanding Capacity for Larger Vessels at Wardwell Boatyard, Bristol RI
Increasing our ability to accommodate larger vessels remains a key focus. In the winter of 2024/25, Bristol Marine completed a maintenance dredging project at our Wardwell Boatyard in Bristol, RI, increasing the hauling draft to nine feet. “This project ensured minimal environmental impact on the waters of Bristol Harbor,” says Greg Bartoszuk, General Manager. By increasing our travel lift’s draft capacity, we have extended our haul-out window, improved efficiency, and enhanced our hauling and launching capabilities. “This waterfront improvement allows us to provide high-quality services to a wider range of customers and the boating community of Rhode Island and beyond.”
Enhancing Community Access at Bowers Shipyard, Somerset MA
Our Bowers Shipyard in Somerset, MA, is transforming to create a welcoming and connected space for both customers and the local community. The Bristolite team recently completed a brand-new boardwalk that now links the north and south docks, providing a safe and scenic waterfront area.
“The Somerset boardwalk has been a vision for our company since our arrival here at Bowers Shipyard, and its importance extends beyond our employees to our customers and the community’s access to the waterfront,” says Chuck Kelley, General Manager. “In partnership with Bristol Marine, the Bristolite Real Estate crew has completed the boardwalk at the Somerset location. This signifies the final step in a revitalized waterfront for the yard and the Town of Somerset. Access to the waterfront and amazing views of the Taunton River can now be enjoyed by employees, customers, and the public alike,” adds Nick King, President of Bristolite.
This addition, along with planned amenities, offers an inviting environment for customers and visitors alike. Additionally, upgrades to our new B and C Docks will allow us to accommodate larger vessels, increasing the versatility of the Somerset yard’s full-service capabilities. Expanding our dockage not only increases our capacity for service and seasonal slips but also provides the flexibility to care for larger boats—ensuring more customers can enjoy the convenience and expertise of our facility. With more space available for sizable vessels, we are opening the door for new clients to experience the exceptional service and craftsmanship that Bristol Marine is known for.
Strengthening Samples Shipyard, Boothbay Harbor ME
Resilience is a driving force behind our investments, particularly at our Samples Shipyard in Boothbay Harbor, ME. Following recent severe weather events, our Boothbay Harbor facility has undertaken major projects to maintain, improve, and modernize the wharf. These upgrades will ensure the yard remains a safe and reliable hub for the local community, our customers, and our operations. The January 13, 2024, storm brought record-high tides and severe flooding to coastal properties. With much of our working shipyard built on a pier, our facility sustained significant impacts, including damage to critical infrastructure, machinery, and heavy equipment. Electrical motors powering our 150-ton and 700-ton marine railways were affected, temporarily limiting our hauling and launching capabilities. Despite these challenges, our team remained focused on maintaining operations and keeping our 22 employees working while continuing to deliver the high level of service our customers expect. As Dennis Gunderson, Boothbay Harbor’s manager, explains:
“This property has been a vital part of the community for over 100 years, and we do not take that longevity for granted. Our team is committed to ensuring that our pier, the heart of our business, continues for another century. This requires constant investment, made even more critical by recent weather events. To keep our facility thriving for the community and our customers, we are completing a multi-phase pier reconstruction this spring/summer, including replacing Building #6 and its foundation. The new 4,500 sq. ft. space will support operations and public events.”
Strategic Growth at Huckins Yacht, Jacksonville FL
Looking ahead, Huckins Yacht is also poised for growth. While plans are still in development, we are committed to making strategic enhancements that align with our long-term vision for this historic property. As part of these efforts, we are undertaking a major cleanup of the property to improve functionality and aesthetics. “We are focused on maintaining a clean and well-equipped facility for employees, existing customers, and new patrons,” says Sara Gielow, General Manager at Huckins Yacht. Additionally, we are investing in upgrading the existing piers and structures by driving new pilings. This reinforcement will help anchor our waterfront infrastructure, ensuring long-term stability against the forces of waves and currents. “These enhancements align with both operational needs and customer expectations,” Sara adds. “We hope our existing customers and new patrons will notice and benefit from these upgrades, as well as our employees to ensure high standards of service and safety.”
Through these ongoing investments, Bristol Marine is preserving maritime traditions while modernizing our facilities to meet the evolving needs of boaters, customers, and the broader community. We take pride in the progress we’ve made and look forward to shaping the future of our waterfronts for generations to come.
