DATE: Tuesday, September 2, 1997            TAG: 9709020097
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   65 lines

BOAT MERCHANT AND SUFFOLK WRANGLE OVER CANCELED ORDER THE FOCUS HAS SHIFTED FROM A FULL-TIME UNIT TO ONE THAT CAN ANSWER EMERGENCIES.

While strengthening its ability to handle marine emergencies, the city is in a tug-of-war over a rescue boat.

Bobby Goldsborough, owner of Goldsborough Outboard Marine in Crisfield, Md., is upset that the city canceled its $35,669 order for a 23-foot boat, motor and trailer.

``It kind of floored me,'' Goldsborough said. ``It doesn't give the city of Suffolk too much credibility as far as buying anything.''

A drowning in the Nansemond River in May prompted police to devote more attention to the water. More than 1,600 boats are registered in the city, which has more than 8,000 acres of lakes, and hundreds of miles of shoreline along the James and Nansemond rivers and Bennetts and Chuckatuck creeks.

Water activities are expected to increase, said City Manager Myles E. Standish.

Police have seen a recent increase in boating accidents and boaters operating while intoxicated, said police spokesman Mike Simpkins. Numerous water-scooter accidents have occurred in neighboring areas.

After the boat order was scrapped, police changed their focus from a full-time marine unit to one capable of responding to emergencies. It will still involve two police officers and two firefighters.

Standish said he authorized the cancellation because ``I do not think, at the present time, that we need something that size. I would like to start out with something smaller.''

He prefers a rigid-hull, inflatable boat, similar to a 10-foot Zodiac the police use for lake rescues or searches, he said.

An inflatable boat would be lighter and easier to maneuver, he said.

Simpkins, who is in charge of police equipment and purchases, said the department decided that such a boat was not sturdy enough for use in a river.

Two officers who were assigned to the marine unit, effective Aug. 15, have refurbished the department's 12-foot Boston Whaler.

The conflict with Goldsborough continues. His attorney, Wade D. Ward, twice has requested that the city honor its contract.

Responding to the first letter, City Attorney C. Edward Roettger Jr. said Goldsborough Marine should not have incurred any cost because the order was canceled ``well in advance of the delivery schedule.''

Through newspaper advertisements and a direct mailing to area boat dealers, the city requested sealed bids for a 23-foot C-Hawk Cuddy, a 200-horsepower Mercury motor and a float-on trailer. Goldsborough was awarded the contract July 11, with delivery due within six weeks.

When the contract was canceled Aug. 7, the boat was being built in North Carolina, Goldsborough's attorney said.

Standish said he could not explain why the C-Hawk was ordered if he thought it unsuitable. The city's purchasing agent, Katherine W. Pearson, said her department is getting specifications for an inflatable boat and may request bids as early as next week.

She said she hopes Goldsborough can sell the C-Hawk to someone else.

``We certainly don't want to put the vendor in a position where he is stuck with the boat,'' she said.

The matter was a result of ``miscommunication somewhere along the line,'' she said.

Police Chief Jimmy L. Wilson said the city's needs will continue to be analyzed.

``One day, the city may have a full-time patrol,'' Standish said. ``I don't think it's needed now.''

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