Business View Magazine - Feb 2024

responded, delivering close to 600 boats to the Coast Guard, catapulting the company far into both the international and domestic markets. Coming to the Coast Guard’s aid proved to be the right choice, as it was a move that allowed SAFE Boats to become a new industry standard in boat manufacturing, which was largely inspired by the company’s incredibly efficient designs. According to Schwarz, the company’s innovative boat designs combined with its fast response to the Coast Guard’s dilemma is what ultimately “helped aluminum replace composite and fiberglass boats as the standard for law enforcement,military, Homeland Security, and around the world.” The acronym SAFE encapsulates the essence of the company’s designs—Secure Around Floatation Equipped. What sets them apart is their innovative use of foam collars instead of traditional air-filled ones. This choice not only ensures robust flotation, but the specific weight measurements of the floatation devices also contribute to the unique performance crafted in this busy yet professional environment. SAFE Boats embarked on its journey with a distinctive strategy—introducing groundbreaking designs, patented features, and foam collars that revolutionized the market in the early 2000s. The company had secured its corner of the market by adopting a very focused approach to the customers it serves. CEO Richard Schwarz explains this approach in practical terms, saying, “We have a pretty global footprint, and that’s always been part of the SAFE Boats strategy, to focus on domestic U.S. customers as well as international customers both directly and through foreign military sales.” In simple terms, the company largely contracts with domestic and U.S. military organizations but also assists foreign organizations and countries that partner with its primary clientele. The pivotal moment in the company’s growth came after 9/11 when the U.S. Coast Guard recognized the need for a standardized platform for coastal patrol, security, and search and rescue. SAFE Boats swiftly 77 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 02 SAFE BOATS