WORKING TO GET OUR FIRST RESCUE VESSEL OPERATIONAL TO SAVE LIVES.

NEED RECYCLE/SURPLUS LEAD IN ANY FORM FOR BALLAST! We can pick up from anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area or can ship... please email donations@internationalrescuegroup.org

Thank you all our volunteers and contributors for a great Launch Event on March 31st! Thunderbird 2 is now at dock and ready for the final stages of completion before sailing on operational status BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR! Here are our plans:

1. At dock, measure waterline and estimate displacement of the hull for rig, ballast and cargo calculations, test hydraulic steering system.
2. We had a great Strictly Sail Pacific boat show, Oakland 12-15th April - the largest sailing expo on the West Coast, recruited volunteers and our first major public awareness event.
3. Come join us on volunteer day Sunday May 13th (click here to RSVP!) back in the Yard and complete propulsion installation and propellers, ballast, electrics and hull painting. The weather forecast is glorious!
4. June 23rd 2012, commence sea trials under power, we hope to attend Summer Sailstice.
5. October 1st, depart from San Francisco with the Latitude 38 "Baja Ha-Ha" in company with about 170 other sailing vessels to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, while signing up the world cruising contingent as IRG Boats in our network.
6. ON OPERATIONAL STATION MEXICO October 2012 then depart from the Pacific Coast ultimately bound for operational station in the South China Seas by March 2013.

This is an aggressive schedule and we're very dependent on volunteers to help us prepare the ship to save lives, please click on Events and RSVP for work days!

Rock Wall Wine Company, Alameda Point, California: Rock Wall were a fantastic contributor to our Launch Fundraiser Event Sat 31-Mar with a contribution of delicious wines for our silent auction. As a local company on Alameda Point, IRG would like to encourage all our members to go and visit, have a GREAT tasting and enjoy the superb view they have of the San Francisco Bay!

Derinda Gaumond of WorkIt.com - We've known Derinda for years and she's a real event planning professional and leading our Launch Fundraiser Event! WorkIt.com is the San Francisco Bay Area's premier calendar to find local events for business, technology and more.

Aaron Cushman "The Rev", master metalworker volunteer helping build T2 and some great contributions to the cause.

Carl Nelson, Nelson's Marine, Alameda Point, California, for invaluable advice and support in many ways, including a beautiful painting for our Launch Fundraiser Event Silent Auction!

Rene Pittet, for beautiful carpentry and building two cabins for our crew

Matt Murfin (Mad Machinist Matt McMurfin), volunteer helping build T2

Gwyn Jones, longstanding volunteer over months, recently building T2's electrical system

Robin Jones, longstanding volunteer over months, recently building T2's electrical system

Dale and Wendy Bagnell, volunteers who have contributed cash and equipment and helped build T2

Carl Kelley, our first and most regular volunteer who has helped build T2

Wayne Goldman and Harriet Scannon, who donated T2's fabulous twin-drive diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system!

Jack Li, who has helped build T2 and has been working on her hydrostatics and stability calculations

Jenni Hecker, who has done an amazing job getting contributions for our Launch Fundraiser!

Liz Hughes, IRG's creative manager who designed our logos, brochures etc!

Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly from Back to the Future Parts II and III)

Sean Matthews, for longstanding support from our earliest days!

Walnut Creek Yacht Club

Gates Worldwide, who stepped in on an urgent basis and provided much needed and expensive belt drive components to connect our electric motors to the propeller shafts.

Lunardi's Market, Danville, California

Fontanella Family Winery

William Dobbs, IRG's Phuket Commodore who contributed boxes of IRG Polos and T-shirts!

Dan Peachey, IRG's IT and Board of Directors member

Tim Webber, IRG Board of Directors

Steve Kahlich, IRG Board of Directors

Leslie Frank, a new volunteer - please come back and help more!

Tammy Cameron, who has done a fantastic job of soliciting for contributions!

Jerome Phillips, a long-time supporter and donor, musician for our Launch Fundraiser Event

Aaron Bronson of SmartPlug, who donated much needed shorepower cables and connectors.

Strictly Sail Pacific - IRG have a nonprofits booth in the April 12-15th show, Jack London Square, Oakland, California!

Latitude 38, the best sailing magazine in the world!

Group Delphi, another Alameda Point company supporting IRG with recycled materials including plywood and carpeting, vital to build Thunderbird 2's cabins.

Alice Wang, a long-time supporter and donor

Sandy de Montille, a new volunteer

Al Bening, who donated badly needed tools to help us build T2