(NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.) — Senesco Marine on Thursday launched one of the largest barges ever built in Rhode Island, WJAR reported.
Knot Refined is a 460-foot, 6,000-long-ton dry bulk barge. It was slowly rolled down a ramp at the shipyard in North Kingstown into the Narragansett Bay.
“It’s a big day for us to get here in the water, great day for the shipyard, great day for the state of Rhode Island,” said Senesco Marine President Ted Williams.
The barge took about a year and a half to complete. It was built in North Kingstown by about 160 employees and contractors during the pandemic.
The pandemic and supply chain issues didn’t cause any major delays, though steel is becoming harder to get now, Williams said.
The barge is expected to be ready for service this month for an unidentified owner.
