BREMERTON, Wash. (March 12, 2026) — During routine evaluation trials today, SAFE Boats International experienced an incident involving a vessel undergoing hull design testing. The vessel involved is a prototype platform being used to evaluate a new hull design and is not a current production model. The incident was a non-violent episode that occurred during controlled testing activities.
During testing operations, the vessel capsized while a crew of four was assessing the upper operational limits of the design. All personnel onboard were equipped with appropriate safety gear, and all safety procedures were being followed. Safety and chase boats were on scene in accordance with company testing protocols. No injuries were sustained.
As part of the company’s engineering and development process, prototype vessels are routinely tested in controlled conditions to evaluate performance across a wide range of operating scenarios. At its core, SAFE Boats International builds high-performance vessels designed to operate at speed in demanding maritime environments. A foundational philosophy of the company is that vessels are not certified for production or delivered to customers until the full extent of their operational capabilities and limitations is understood through rigorous testing. SAFE Boats pushes vessels to the very edge of their performance envelope during controlled trials so that operators never have to discover those limits in the field.
The exact cause of the incident is currently under investigation. SAFE Boats International will conduct a full internal review and implement any necessary corrective actions based on the findings.
SAFE Boats International remains committed to advancing safety and technology on the water and providing the men and women who serve on the water with the most capable and reliable platforms possible.