Safe/Sea Fleet Update, Fall 2002

New Rescue Vessel Ordered for Spring 2003 Delivery

In the effort to offer New England boaters the highest degree of service available, we at Safe/Sea are yet again upgrading our fleet of rescue vessels. The M/V Safe/Sea Point Judith has been sold to make room in our fleet for a brand new, state of the art rescue boat.

Some of you may remember the M/V Safe/Sea Point Judith from the past two years at the Providence Boat Show. She is a twenty four by eight foot rigid hull inflatable powered by twin Honda 130hp four stroke outboards. She was sold to TowBoat U.S. New Bedford, so boaters who venture East of Narragansett Bay may still see her.

Almar, of Tacoma, Washington has once again been chosen to design and build her replacement, a new twenty-eight by ten foot rigid hull inflatable. This new quick response rescue vessel will boast a twenty four inch inflatable tube as well as a custom built, fully enclosed pilot house to not only protect the Captain, but also to protect a top of the line electronics package.

The electronics suite will include a 48 mile Furuno radar, a Northstar 952X color GPS chartplotter, twin SEA 156 VHF radios, a Motorolla private band two way radio, a Horizon loudhailer, and an Azimuth digital compass as well as many other aids to navigation.

The vessel will be powered by a Yanmar LYA-STP 370hp turbo diesel engine coupled to a single Hamilton model 274 jet drive. This package not only allow us to get to a distressed boater at nearly forty knots, but the Hamilton jet also gives us unparalelled maneuverability when docking, including the ability to move directly sideways, as well as the ability to turn within our own length. Also, with a projected 120 gallon fuel tank, the new vessel will also have excellent range capabilities.

The rigid hull inflatable design was chosen for the seventh consecutive time because it gives our customers the peace of mind of not having to worry about any external damage to their vessels when towed alongside. This is another illustration of our determination to provide the best value and service available to local boaters, and to be among the best in the industry.

With delivery expected in May, be prepared to see our newest vessel working hard next summer, and, if you see her at rest, feel free to come along side and say hello to any one of our hard working Captains.