The 94-foot powerboat, which will be named ‘Contraband’, will be the largest vessel built to date by New England Boatworks.

PORTSMOUTH, RI – New England Boatworks, Inc. (NEB), approaching its 30th year of operation, announced on Wednesday, July 12th that the Portsmouth-based company has begun construction of a 94-foot aluminum powerboat for Newport Shipyard Owner, Charlie Dana.

“The Dana Family’s current sailing yacht, a 70-foot Hood designed aluminum ketch named Saint Roque, was one of the first boats ever built at NEB,” the announcement says. “Selecting NEB once again as the builder of their new powerboat, Contraband, demonstrates the Dana Family’s commitment to the local marine industry and brings their relationship with New England Boatworks ‘full-circle’” it goes on to say.

Since the building of Saint Roque 22 years ago, NEB was a partner in the purchase of Newport Shipyard and, since the subsequent sale of their portion of the business, has remained a regularly called upon sub-contractor. 

“Contraband, like Saint Roque, will be a durable, rugged world-cruising vessel that takes advantage of NEB’s many years of expertise in aluminum construction with a proven record of delivering capable yachts that meet design specs and owners’ high expectations,” the announcement concludes.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp.  He has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the boards of Fort Adams Trust, Lucy's Hearth, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

In 2020, he was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.

He is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, he spent 39 years living in Rhode Island before recently moving to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. He still considers Rhode Island home, and visits at least once a month.