Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol Introduces State-of-the-Art Emergency Response Vessel

Santa Barbara’s maritime safety operations took a significant leap forward on March 10, 2025, as the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department welcomed a next-generation emergency response vessel to the Harbor Patrol fleet. At 8:00 a.m. on the day, officials, harbor staff, and members of the community gathered at the Travel Hoist Pier for a traditional mariner’s christening ceremony to mark the arrival of the M2 Catamaran from Moose Boats LLC. This cutting-edge vessel will replace Patrol Boat #3, which has faithfully served the Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol since 1999 and is now retiring after more than 25 years of dedicated service. Image courtesy of The City of Santa Barbara The introduction of the M2 represents a substantial investment in public safety, ensuring that the Harbor Patrol remains equipped to handle the increasing demands of marine law enforcement, emergency response, and environmental protection. Secured through a General Services Administration (GSA) contract two years ago, the vessel cost approximately $900,000 — a price significantly lower than what it would cost in today’s market due to rising material and labor expenses. The decision to secure the vessel at that time has allowed the city to maximize its budget while bringing...