STRETCHING THE 'POINT' — Newport Ship Yard, Inc., Newport, R.I., recently completed the lengthening of the passenger vessel Brandt Point (shown above) for the upcoming season. The Brandt Point, owned by the Hyannis Tours Company of Hyannis, Mass., regularly carries passengers to Nantucket Island. The vessel was lengthened from 122 feet to 134.5 feet. The production took place following hauling and side transfer of the vessel from the NSY's 3,000-ton marine railway drydock to a dockside repair and construction area. The conversion project included a new main deck aft to be used for carriage of luggage and/or bicycles, installation of a service bay, extension of upper deck allowing 52 additional seats, and extension of a new bridge deck permitting 32 additional seats.