Somerset, MA

Bristol Marine, Somerset Yard
41°45’53.9”N 71°07’42.6”W
One Main Street
Somerset, MA 02726
508.678.1234

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

The Somerset Yard

Originally Bower’s Shipyard, our Somerset location proudly embodies the rich maritime legacy of this area. Today, as an integral part of Bristol  Marine, we remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring our heritage while spearheading excellence in the marine industry of New England. 

Located inside the protected Taunton River off of Mount Hope Bay, our Somerset yard features state-of-the-art facilities and a team of talented service managers, technicians and craftsmen to match. Conveniently housed at 1 Main Street in historic Somerset, MA, the yard rests just a short ride up Narragansett Bay from Newport and Bristol, RI where the company began in 1998.

Acquired in 2012, the Somerset Yard features a state-of-the-art paint booth, fully staffed and outfitted carpentry, mechanical and metal shops, seasonal and transient service slips and brand new heated service buildings. However, the facility is worth nothing without the people. By cultivating talent through year-round opportunities we have built a dedicated team of skilled employees committed to providing the best possible experience for boat owners uniquely connected to their vessels. Also strengthening our facilities and team, an expansive network of local marine businesses bolster our expertise when additional help is needed to get the job done. Visit the Somerset Service Yard to tour our facilities and meet the Bristol Marine team members keeping the working waterfront alive along the Taunton River.

Contact the Somerset Team

SOMERSET YARD FEATURES

Learn for yourself what makes our Somerset yard special in this virtual tour of our facilities:

Checkout our Somerset Yard Facilities
Launch Video
  • Quality service: Specializing in mechanical & systems work with Yanmar, Yamaha, Cummins and other dealerships. Projects, refits and restorations, our experienced project managers work with each customer to ensure good communication and results.
  • Waterfront facility: A true full service project yard with experienced teams of highly skilled technicians in all trades, carpentry, metal, mechanical, yard and paint.
  • Large paint booth: The Somerset yard was built around the quality of its paint work. Specializing in Awlgrip and gelcoat applications, with a 90′ paint booth.
  • Seasonal and transient slips: Over 60 deep water slips available, for boats up to 120′. Plenty of space to finish up project work, and now for seasonal rentals as well.
  • Hauling capacity: A 70-ton travel lift can haul boats up to 22.5′ wide and over 80′ long with ample water for deep drafts. High capacity cranes are regularly brought in for wider multihulls.
  • Project and Storage Space: New, heated, clean and well-lit space for boats up to 80′, perfect for project work in any season. Unheated and outside storage is also available.
Chuck Kelley, Yard Manager at Bristol Marine, Somerset

Chuck Kelley

Somerset General Manager

Chuck Kelley’s career with Bristol Marine coincided with acquisition of the Somerset facility in 2012, and he has contributed to its growth and development ever since. In addition to Chuck’s expertise in high-quality paint and finishing, he brings more than 35 years of experience in all aspects of marine service, refits and restoration.

Since joining Bristol Marine, Chuck has forged a team of passionate service managers, foremen and technicians committed to providing the highest quality experience to their customers. “We have an appreciation for the process,” he explains of his Bristol Marine colleagues. “ It’s kind of a puzzle. The department heads in our company here all have that innate ability to problem solve.” And that collective ability creates a culture of creativity and service.

“I really enjoy the culture, the growth and everyone here. We’ve all done it together, grown together.” Throughout his time at Somerset, Chuck has collaborated with his team to increase capacity for larger, more complex projects by developing the connections between his team and our customers. “We’ve collectively built something really special here and I am proud to be a part of it.”

Email Chuck

OUR SOMERSET TEAM

By cultivating talent through year-round opportunities we have built a dedicated team of skilled employees committed to providing the best possible experience for boat owners uniquely connected to their vessels.

Jason Carreiro, Head of Carpentry at Bristol Marine, Somerset Jason Carreiro Foreman, Carpentry Since 2010
Jeff Duclos, Head of Metalwork Jason Carreiro, Head of Carpentry at Bristol Marine, Somerset Jeff Duclos Foreman, Metalwork Since 2015
Herb Baker, Head of Painting at Bristol Marine, Somerset Herb Baker Foreman, Paint Since 2013
Seth Hagen, Service Manager at Bristol Marine, Somerset Seth Hagen Service Manager Since 2016
Jimmy Rodrigues, Head of Mechanics at Bristol Marine, Somerset Jim Rodrigues Foreman, Mechanical Since 2021
Josh Rodriguez, Head of Yard Services at Bristol Marine, Somerset Josh Rodriguez Foreman, Yard Since 2016
Erin Watts, Office Manager at Bristol Marine, Somerset Erin Watts Office Manager Since 2013
Lynn Shaw, Project Manager at Bristol Marine, Somerset Lynn Shaw Project Manager Since 2016
Craig Brimicombe, Project Manager at Bristol Marine, Somerset Craig Brimicombe Project Manager Since 2022
Mike Montesano Lead Painter Since 2016
Pete Mayas, Lead Gelcoat and Fiberglass Pete Matyas Lead Gelcoat and Fiberglass Since 2012
Kene Barlow Lead Metalwork Since 2021
Kevin Depoy, Lead Mechanic at Bristol Marine, Somerset Kevin Depoy Lead Mechanic Since 2010
Pete Thompson, Lead Mechanic at Bristol Marine Pete Thompson Mechanical Technician Since 2012
Dave Raposo, Lead Carpenter at Bristol Marine, Somerset Dave Raposo Lead Carpenter Since 2007
Anthony Harrison, Paint Technician Anthony Harrison Paint Technician Since 2015
Richard Machado Mechanical Technician Since 2021
Tiberio Borges Mechanical Technician Since 2016
Haley Hadfield, Parts Manager at Bristol Marine, Somerset Haley Hadfield Parts Manager Since 2020
Jessica Correia, Reception at Bristol Marine, Somerset Jessica Correia Reception Since 2021
BLACK WATCH is a fully restored 1938 ocean racing yacht. 85 years on, we are still out racing in the ocean – just as good as new! Since 2015, we have relied on Bristol Marine Somerset to tend to the unique and often custom service needs of our yacht. From paint to carpentry, mechanical to metalwork, there is no yard where we would rather be. Thanks to the tremendous talent, skills and knowledge available at the Somerset yard, BLACK WATCH is able to stay in top form year after year. This is a world class facility staffed with a world class team. BLACK WATCH is lucky to call Bristol Marine Somerset home! Kyle Dufur, Captain of BLACK WATCH

HISTORY

Bristol Marine at Bowers Shipyard in Somerset, MA

Our Somerset yard resides on a beautiful stretch of the Taunton River just north of Fall River, once known simply as “Bowers Shore.” The area’s founder and namesake, Jonathan Bowers, turned this protected stretch of the river into a center for trade, whaling and shipbuilding. 

Hesper & Luther Little built in Somerset, MA

The Hesper & Luther Little were built in Somerset, MA before ending their life on the water in Maine.

It endured many challenges, including a large fire in 1875, and remained a shipbuilding hub until the early twentieth century. Over the last one hundred years, the facility has passed through several different owners and uses but returned to a marine service operation with J&J Fabricating, who specialized in metal fabrication (t-tops, tuna towers, etc.) until struggling financially in 2011. Seeing an opportunity for growth and expansion of Bristol Marine right down the road from the Bristol Yard, Andy Tyska purchased the yard in 2012 and renovated, replaced and modernized the outdated structures and facilities, creating the state-of-the-art service yard here today.

Contact our Somerset Yard

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