A few months ago several of us remarked that it would be a shame if MRE did not have an entry in Annapolis Yacht Club's Build-a-Boat challenge on June 23-24, 2001. Alas, the field of 18 syndicates was long-since full...no more entries were to be accepted. Undaunted, some of the nuttier element of MRE decided that we would, indeed have an entry anyway...not to crash the party, but to patrol OUR body of water, the Gulf of Eastport, during the Build-a-Boat races....

Mike Raab and his readied submarine

Generalissimo Mike Raab constructed an amazing submersible to transport the MRE's first submariners (Mike Raab & Lance Curran). The construction was completed at the SWETURF (MRE's Secret Water-Enabled Testing, Utilization & Research Facility), whose location is "classified" but well-protected within the Republic.

Sorry that many of you were not privy to this information, as it was classified (Top Secret), on a Need-To-Know basis only. Construction is still classified but most materials were salvaged from misc. HVAC duct (common air conditioning duct work), and liquid nails. At this point we are still in communiqué with liquid nails as a sponsor for the future MRE submarine fleet. We are also waiting for the program's funding to be approved by a classified committee. Do not worry, you do not have a vote on this project or this committee! It is a covert project and all funds are procured from the sale of classified contraband.

Thanks to the launch and recovery team Dennis Robb, Lisa Sarubbi, Scott Robinson, Greg & Tanya Sapp, and to Annapolis Landing Marina for their raft that made the mission possible.

Sub under Eastport camouflage (blue & grey tarps), ready for launch.	The deployment team
Sub cruising at four knots, patrolling the AYC harbor	Intercepting communications / Surveillance of stray boats in close proximity to MRE shores
Surfacing in the Gulf of Eastport	On patrol...
Dive Alarm, Prepare To Dive!	Aahooga, aahooga..........Dive, Dive!
Yet more photos of the event Can you stand it?

The mission was successful in protecting the Gulf of Eastport and MRE's sacred shores! We were able to gather much needed Naval Intelligence to defend our Nation! We were also able to intercept all accoustical (voice) and transmitted (cell phone) communications. With this information we have the edge for next year's Build-a-Boat competition. All the ideas to better their boats for next year's race, and all proven blunders were intercepted.

ALL of MRE congratulates Mike Raab and Lance Curran on a spectacular MRE victory, and for proving yet again that MRE RULES!

See photos of the research and development and trial float phase.

We Like it This Way.
Up the Republic!