I am sure the boat will get plenty of use for lots of missions. I am sure they will haul gear when needed, use it for serarch and rescue and plenty of patrols especially in the winter as the bugs are further offshore. Safety should come first and Stew brought up some good points. At least they are supporting a Maine business, run by folks in Maine who pay federal and Maine taxes and recieved an end product will outlast most of the Warden's careers now on the water.
We have several SAFE boats in MA purchased by fire departments, Environmental Police, and harbormasters with most of the funding coming directly out of the Port Security Grant Program. Yes as tax payers we are paying for these boats as muchc as the farmer in Iowa. With his supplements for milk, grain and farm aid the taxpayers on the East Coast are paying for that also.
Be blessed that the state of Maine has spent the money wisely, here in MA we have an outgoing Governor who has dreams of sitting i the Whitehouse who is have a NINE MILLION DOLLAR office renovation in his corner office of the statehouse.
I agree with Stew, the Coast Guard is spread too thin in a big state llike Maine and time in a distress situation is of the essence. Now if the boat just sits at a dock, takes warden's families out on joy rides I would be pissed also.
Dave
