MARINE 1 REPORTING FOR DUTY
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office introduces Marine 1 to our marine fleet. We were fortunate enough to acquire a new 23 foot vessel made by Life Proof Boat. Our current 1994 19’ Almar was in tough shape and was needing to be replaced. The old vessel simply was not a great patrol boat and the old 2 stroke outboard was beginning to fail.
We partnered with State Parks, who is responsible for marine budgets and grant opportunities associated with marine programs throughout the state. As a result of a lot of work and effort by many, we were awarded substantial grant funding and with our current marine budget, which is also grant funded, we purchased this new vessel.
The total grant was just over $86,000. The 23 foot Life Proof Boat is powered with an Evinrude outboard which puts out over 250 horsepower. The new Sheriff’s vessel will allow our marine unit deputies to patrol Lake Roosevelt and our interior lakes much more efficiently and safely. The platform will allow us to work safely and effectively as the vessel is built to be very stable.
We have over 175 miles of shoreline on Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane River that we are responsible for. The Sheriff is responsible for search and rescue and investigations involving accidents/collisions and related boating incidents that occur on our waterways.
Expect to see the new Marine 1 on the river this summer and remember all your safety gear, and please wear your life vests when operating your vessels this summer. Be safe and boat responsibly on your voyages this summer.
As of 2014 all boaters 60 and younger must have a valid WA state boater education card to operate a motorboat greater than 15 horsepower on Washington waters.
