The Skagit Bay Search and Rescue Team is proud of the important work they do and are looking forward to the addition of a new boat. The vessel will be made from HDPE, high density polyethylene. This plastic material has been used around the world for workboats for years, but not as much in the U.S. The material is extremely durable, impervious to marine growth, and completely recyclable. Demonstration models are routinely run up on the rocks with no apparent damage.
HDPE comes in sheets, similar to aluminum, and welded together with heat. The build process is not dependent on molds like fiberglass and is very easy to modify as necessary. The big plus for the Skagit Team is the environmentally friendly material. The carbon footprint of HDPE construction is five times lower than aluminum; and even though it is basically indestructible, when it is no longer needed the HDPE hull can be 100% remelted and recycled in a new PE blend, helping to keep non-biodegradable waste out of landfills and reduce plastic production by up to 50%.
The cherry on top for us at Skagit Bay Search and Resue is the fact that, because of its impermeability, it requires no maintenance. Marine growth will not stick to it so toxic antifouling bottom paint is not required. Gone is the recurring maintenance expense of haul-outs for bottom paint, with resulting response downtime and no toxins leaching into the waters of our stunning Pacific Northwest.
Our Skagit Team is currently in negotiations with the foremost HDPE boat builder in the country to produce a search and rescue response boat specifically designed to fully address the needs of our area, and perhaps for the first time, use HDPE panels formulated using recycled ocean plastics!
Skagit Bay Search and Rescue (SBSAR) is the only dedicated marine search and rescue organization based in Skagit County and has been responding to 911-generated marine emergency calls for over 20 years. Historically based in La Conner, the SBSAR response area encompasses over 125 square miles from Sinclair and Vendovi Islands in the north, to just north of Oak Harbor in Skagit Bay to the south. We have always been concerned about our long response times from La Conner to incidents in the north county but did not have the resources to improve that situation. Recently, we have been able to recruit and train enough Anacortes-based members to support an additional response unit, based in Anacortes, to serve the north county in a more-timely fashion.
We are an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, fully self-funded and rely totally on the generous support of our community to cover our annual fuel and maintenance costs as well as the new boat acquisition.
For more information about our organization and efforts, please go to our web page, skagitbaysar.org. If you would like to be a part of this exciting project by supporting our financial efforts to secure a response vessel in Anacortes, please contact me directly, Fred Kaufhold, Fleet Captain, SBSAR at capnfred@juno.com
Submitted by Fred Kaufhold
Photos: Skagit Bay Search & Rescue
