Volvo Ocean Race - Sea Blade 22 continues to support Team Alvimedica

by Sail-World.com NZL on 16 May 2015 The Sea Blade™ 22 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB) is making its East Coast debut to provide on water support for Team Alvimedica during the Newport Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) Stopover.

After successfully supporting Team Alvimedica during the Auckland, New Zealand VOR stopover, the boat was shipped to Rhode Island to continue assisting the team.

'The Sea Blade 22 RIB provides a stable and comfortable platform that allows technical support and an unmatched viewing experience for our media team,' says Bill Erkelens, Team Alvimedica's COO. The SB22 joined Team Alvimedica for their late night arrival from Brazil passing them their battle flag soon after they crossed the finish line in Newport just before 3:30am. The SeaBlade 22 will be offering support all the way through the team's departure on May 17th.

'We are excited to partner with Team Alvimedica whose team of nine sailors includes three Rhode Island natives,' says Abby Rich of New England Boatworks in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. NEB will be providing logistical support on the SB22 for the VOR stopover and will be using it to promote their construction of a 35 foot high-speed version, the Sea Blade 35, launched last week in time to support the Volvo inshore races as an umpire boat.

The Sea Blade features a patented hull form designed by Hawaii-based high-tech company, Navatek Ltd, and is specifically designed to provide the most comfortable and safe ride in challenging ocean conditions. 'These Sea Blade boats are perfectly equipped and suited to escort sailboats during Newport's busy 2015 sailing season,' adds Rich.

The Sea Blade 22 and Sea Blade 35 will be supporting the 2015 Newport area sailing scene that includes NYYC Annual Regatta, J/111 Worlds, Block Island Race Week, and the start of the RORC Transatlantic Race. For more information contact Abby Rich at arich@neboatworks.com or visit www.sea-blade.com.