Seawatch

ALLEGIANCE: AUTOBOT
SUB-GROUP(S): MICROMASTER RESCUE PATROL
FUNCTION: SEARCH AND RESCUE

“Without freedom of the seas, there is no freedom.”

First Appearance: Transformers 246
Significant Appearances: Transformers 246-247, 250, 252, 254, 259-261

Seawatch is the eyes, ears and rudder of the Autobot Rescue Patrol. If something interesting catches his notice, he will immediately become drawn to it, often steering the rest of the team along with him. Seawatch is naturally inquisitive, and an explorer at heart. His fellow patrol members do not tend to take Seawatch seriously, and often regard his latest potential adventure with light-hearted dismissal. This reaction is due to Seawatch’s short attention span; if he sees something more interesting, he will forget all about his current mission and move onto the next. While he is dedicated to his primary function, Seawatch is always on the look out for the next big thing.

Abilities: In speed-boat mode, Seawatch can reach speeds of over 200 knots and has a range of 6,400 km thanks to his lightweight frame. He is equipped with advanced radar and tracking devices, able to pinpoint the location of small ocean-borne objects within 0.12 km. Seawatch is also equipped with a low-torque towing assembly that allows him to tow cargos of over five times his mass. In robot mode, Seawatch possesses highly tuned optic sensors and audio receptors.

Weaknesses: Seawatch is unarmed—his limited storage facilities are used to house his towing assembly—and as such, must always rely on others for backup. Due to his lightweight build and small size, Seawatch’s armour is thin and easily punctured.

Commentary

In the original American comic series, the Rescue Patrol appeared in two Simon Furman stories: “Yesterday’s Heroes” and “Primal Scream.” Along with the Decepticon Pretender Figures and the Autobot Pretender Classics, the Rescue Patrol were treated to a once in an online-time glimpse of Primus’s face at the centre of Cybertron.

The Rescue patrol had only a few appearances in the British series, the most notable being poor Seawatch’s encounter with the Demons; Seawatch himself made the cover of Transformers 246.

The Rescue Patrol’s most recent comic appearance was in Dreamwave’s carcrash mini-series, “Micromasters”.

Seawatch was released in 1989 as part of the Autobot Micromaster Rescue Patrol. In Japan the team were released in a boxed set with a white MicroTrailer. In Japan, Seawatch was called “Boater”.