John D. Andrews

Capt. John Douglas Andrews, 88, passed away after a short illness on March 5, 2025 at Kent Hospital. Born on September 21, 1936 in Evanston, Illinois, he was the only child of the late Albro Andrews and Jeanne Fulcher Andrews.

Captain Andrews founded the marine assistance towing and salvage company SafeSea and held a US Merchant Marine Master's License until his retirement from sea service approximately 10 years ago. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Sally Query Andrews, his only child, Capt. Peter J. Andrews, daughter-in-law Dr. Susan Andrews and two adult grandchildren Sarah Andrews Kops and William Wyler Andrews. His greatest joys came from his 64 year marriage to Sally, 40 years of working to build his business with his son Peter, and watching his grandchildren grow into productive adults.

Proud graduates of the University of Michigan, John & Sally moved to Rhode Island with their young son in 1968 and quickly became avid recreational boaters and members of the Wickford Yacht Club, naming their first two boats "Go Blue", a well-known cheer of their alma mater. All of John's surviving family members, including his son, daughter-in-law, both of his grandchildren, and his grandson-in-law are proud Michigan Alumni. As a recreational boater, John sailed in 3 Marion-Bermuda yacht races, and cruised the S/V Go Blue to many unique destinations, including Montreal, Canada for the 1976 Olympic Games, Bar Harbor, Maine, and Nova Scotia.

Capt. John so loved being on the water that he decided to start a new vocation as a professional mariner in 1983. He purchased the tugboat William D. Kropp, refit the 1915 steel-hulled vessel and began learning the towing business.

In 1984, he started the company now known by many Rhode Island boaters as SafeSea Marine Rescue. That local company is celebrating over 40 years in business this year.

Capt. John quickly became a leader in the maritime assistance industry, strongly advocating against government competition in the assistance towing and marine salvage business and being a founder, board member, and long-time Chairman of C-PORT, the national trade association for the maritime assistance industry.

Perhaps his proudest professional accomplishment, however, was seeing many of his former and current employees grow from their formative years as towboat captains at SafeSea into seasoned, nationally recognized mariners, marine professionals and entrepreneurs in their own right.

His Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. in The First Baptist Church in Wickford, 44 Main Street, Wickford, RI.  Burial will be private.  Calling hours are respectfully omitted.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to The First Baptist Church in Wickford, 44 Main St., Wickford, RI 02852 will be appreciated.

Arrangements have been entrusted to THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD.

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