Safe Sea Takes Delivery of New Rescue Boat

M/V Safe/Sea Newport Arrives in Wickford May 3, 2005

The new M/V Safe/Sea Newport arrived in Wickford on May 3, and has already been placed in service on and around Narragansett Bay. At 35 feet by 12 feet, this is the largest RIB ever built for Safe/Sea. While making her a bit more difficult to maneuver within the narrow confines of some marinas, the addition of two feet over our standard thirty-three foot design will give us better heavy weather capabilities.

The weekend of May 7-8 provided us with just such weather. With conditions similar to a two day Nor'Easter, this storm brought us high winds and heavy seas to our area, keeping most boaters indoors. This weather also gave our captains a chance to see how well this new vessel handled in the elements. Capt. Phil LeBlanc and Capt. Andy Casey donned their foul weather gear and headed out into the teeth of the gale to do some heavy weather testing.

Reports from both Captains were better than expected. Not only did the vessel's added two feet make it more comfortable and easier to pilot, but the increase in the vessel's ability to handle heavy seas was incredible.

Video of this entire evolution was takin with the digital recording system, which is now standard on all Safe/Sea vessels and will be available online soon. Each boat is equippied with two aft facing, and two remote controlled forward facing video cameras. These cameras can be sed in both day and night with infrared capabilities.

Everyone here at Safe/Sea has given an enthusiastic "two thumbs up" to the M/V Newport. If you happen to see this or any of our six state-of-the-art towing vessels around your marina, feel free to take a look. If our captain is not on his way out to assist another boater, he will be happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have.