BVI Police Force take delivery of a Parker
The procurement process of the Parker 900 Baltic rib started just about 2 years ago when out of the blue I got a call from the BVI Police Force asking me about our range of ribs. I then promised myself that should an order result from that enquiry I would for sure travel to the BVI for the handover. An order followed in due course and at the end of September together with Mrs Andre and Mr & Mrs Mike C we headed for the BVI so I could do what had to be done and then together enjoy a week in the sun with some 3 days of boating. Mike had already been twice to the BVI so he was the holiday planner.
The handover was a very official event and was carried out in the presence of the Premier Ralph O’Neal , HM Governor Boyd McCleary and the Police Commissioner Reynell Frazer and many other invited guests not to mention the local press and TV. The rib was named DEFENDER and the God Mother was Mrs Jenny McCleary , wife of the Governor who wasted some good bubbly on the tube and deck.
The Parker rib is fitted with twin 300 HP o/b motors, Simrad NX45 Broadband radar, GPS Chartplotter / sounder, Icom 505 VHF radio, Standard Horizon VHL3000 with loud hailer. Large console with ample storage space, 4 x single man jockey seats and a bench seat for 3 persons by the transom and a T top to keep the crew well shaded from the sun.
During the first day of testing Defender achieved a speed of 53 knots but since the engines needed to be run in I strongly advised the guys to take it easy. The Marine Police of the BVI are very experienced in handling all sorts of power boats and after the first day of testing their smiling faces said it all.
The official handover also involved a 12 mtr hard boat from Solid powerboats of Miami. This boat was fitted with 3 x 300 HP o/b motors and was given the most appropriate name “Swift Justice” If any of you forum members get a chance to visit the BVI and hire a boat then watch out for the Parker rib.
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Andre
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