Town finds boat breakdown a result of product deficiency
By Tom Shevlin

After extensive testing by University of Rhode Island professor of chemical engineering Otto Gregory, Town Administrator Bruce Keiser reported on Monday that no known source of electrical charge could be found at East Ferry to substantiate claims by the boat manufacturer that electrolysis in the water caused the town's harbormaster boat to be pulled from duty.

"It's not water related." Keiser said. "It's product related"

After less than four months of service, the boat was hauled out of the water for what harbor authorities assumed was routine maintenance. However, after the boat was hauled, several major deficiencies were identified and the boat was deemed unfit for service.

Damage to the boat, which included an absence of anti-fouling paint from the hull, a failure in the glue which attached the gunnels to the hull, and signs of corrosion found in various spots around the boat, led to a review process by the manufacturer to determine the cause of the flaws.

Ribcraft had asserted that high levels of electrolysis in the water at East Ferry had caused the corrosion, thus precluding any warrantee claims, however harbor officials were skeptical. After commissioning Gregory to conduct his own studies, town officials are firm in their decision to question Ribcraft's assertions.

The town has sent a letter to the boat manufacturer, Ribcraft, of Marblehead, Mass., reporting its findings and seeking redress under the manufacturer warrantee.

Should the matter be protracted, Town Solicitor Peter Ruggiero indicated that the town was prepared to seek appropriate legal remedy.