Silver Ships Partners with Marine Emergency Team 21 with the Delivery of Marine Unit 217

Silver Ships is proud to have recently delivered its AM800 fire/rescue demonstration boat as a custom outfitted vessel for Marine Emergency Team 21.

Silver Ships met the Marine Emergency Team 21 in 2016 at the International Work Boat Show in New Orleans, where they discussed the importance of advanced technology on a rescue boat. The Silver Ships team took note of everything Team 21 said, and incorporated many ideas into a state-of-the-art demonstration boat that embodied all the traits a rescue boat would need to perform at the top of its class. The vessel was showcased around the country at various fire/rescue trade shows before it reached its permanent home with the Marine Emergency Team 21 this spring.

The team, a part of Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Department, has been awaiting a new rescue vessel, as they have not had one in operation since September 2018. Its original fire/rescue vessel aided more than 250 rescue missions in the past five years. With the help of Captain Shannon Stallings, the community’s hard work to fundraise and a partnership with our Silver Ships team, they obtained an AM800 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) that will improve the abilities of the rescue team and continue to save lives.

“When we met the Marine Emergency Team 21 back in 2016, we were inspired by their dedication to serving their community and how hard they worked with the tools they had available,” says Steven Clarke, co-owner of Silver Ships. “It is crucial that they have the equipment necessary to do their jobs to the best of their ability, and we are happy to deliver their new fire/rescue vessel in time for a busy summer on the water.”

Marine Unit 217 has been named the Mrs. Linda II, and was officially commissioned on May 24, 2019. The vessel will be operating in Marine Emergency Team 21’s 90-square mile service area and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including an on-board fire pump that can flow near 700 gallons of water per minute. Additionally, twin 250 horsepower Evinrude G2 outboard engines allow the boat to reach speeds of 51 miles per hour. This will improve the team’s response time immensely from their previous vessel – a fishing boat that had been converted for rescue missions. Silver Ships is pleased to give this team a boat that is designed to both meet crew needs and keep citizens safe. The boat can transport up to six patients at a time, including two spinal immobilized patients. Marine Unit 217 is also prepared for search and rescue missions with fully integrated Raymarine UAV drone piloting.

To learn more about Silver Ships fire/rescue vessels and custom outfitting options, visit our website or contact our team.