More Than Work Boats: The Stories Behind Irene Mae and Gator
Irene Santa takes a test ride aboard the Irene Mae.
At RACE, our vessels are more than working boats. They reflect the relationships, perseverance and shared purpose that have shaped our company.
This year, two new additions to our fleet received names honoring people whose encouragement, leadership and belief helped make RACE what it is today.
Irene Mae: “First You Have to Row a Little Boat”
RACE’s new 26-foot Raider survey boat fulfills a dream more than 25 years in the making and expands our hydrographic surveying capabilities.
The Irene Mae honors Irene, RACE President Devin’s mother and lifelong supporter. Her encouragement and unwavering belief have been constants throughout his journey.
Irene often shared lessons from the book First You Have to Row a Little Boat. Devin took that message literally and at a young age spent plenty of time rowing small boats. Now he jokes with his mother that she will not have to row her namesake as Irene Mae has two engines.
Gator: Built for Purpose, Named for a Legacy
Our highly modified 28-foot pontoon vessel was purpose-built to support dredging projects and excel at sediment sampling. Its name, Gator, honors RACE founder John “JR” Roberge and his beloved University of Florida Gators.
JR’s passion for dredging is woven into the fabric of RACE. As a founding partner, his knowledge, leadership and enthusiasm shaped the RACE from the start. Put simply, RACE would not exist without him. The name Gator celebrates his connection to Florida, where he learned the art and science of coastal engineering, and his lasting influence on the entire RACE Team.
Carrying Their Support Forward
RACE was built on relationships, passion and people who believed in what we were creating. Each time Irene Mae and Gator head out on the water, they carry those values, and the support of Irene and JR, with them. Their names remind us both of where we began and who helped us along the way.
RACE's new sediment sampling vessel, Gator, pays tribute to dredging veteran and RACE Founder John "JR" Roberge.