There's a new law enforcement boat on the water, and not much is going to outrun the Texas Parks and Wildlife SAFE BOAT, which is built to handle the rough waters of the Gulf.
The $354,000 state of the art SAFE BOAT is powered by twin 300 mercury outboards and can practically fly at 55 mph.
The boat will turn on a dime, and when warden Jacinto Gonzalez twists the wheel you better be hanging on tight.
The vessel was recently christened at the Port of Brownsville and dedicated to game warden George Whatley who died two years ago while working for Parks and Wildlife.
Senator Eddie Lucio was on hand to honor the fallen warden and bestow a plaque to Michael Whately, George's younger brother, who is a DPS officer and represented the family.
SOT Michael Whately, "The dedication of this boat is to me the icing on the cake for his legacy. I'm sure there is going to be someone one day who is going to look at that boat and look at that name on it and think you know when their family is involved in a search and rescue and needing help, they are going to think that is probably somebody special and they would be right."
The SAFE BOAT bearing the name George Whately joins 14 other similar vessels serving along the state's coast from Brownsville to Sabine Pass.
Equipped with ultramodern electronics, the boat can see in the dark and beneath the water.
SOT Jarrett Baker, TPW Game Warden, "It is a great thing and the least we can do for the family. His legacy will live on thru the lives of other game wardens that serve on that vessel."
With your Nature Report I'm Richard Moore.
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