For Immediate Release
| PR #: | 1500011 |
| Date Issued: | Jan 22, 2015 - 8:31am |
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Washoe County Sheriff's Office plans to launch new Lake Tahoe patrol boat in May |
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| CONTACT: | Bob Harmon Washoe County Sheriff's Office Office 775-785-6235 Cell 775-722-5517 |
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office has purchased a new boat to patrol the waters of Lake Tahoe, Sheriff Chuck Allen announced today. The new vessel is expected to be launched in time for the coming summer season.
The Sheriff's Office new "Marine 9" is a 28-foot Titan T280 Pilot aluminum boat with twin 300hp Mercury outboard motors. The new boat will be equipped with the most technologically advanced Radar, Sonar, and GPS systems to assist with search, rescue and lifesaving missions along with routine marine patrol functions.
The new boat replaces the 14-year-old Marine 9 vessel which sank at a mooring off Incline Village during extreme weather conditions on May 26 of last year. While the Sheriff's Office is still waiting for a determination as to the exact cause of the incident, a survey of the old vessel conducted by Washoe County and Traveler's Insurance found structural issues and concluded the boat to be a total loss.
The cost of the new Marine 9 is $274,543.94. Part of the cost is offset by a $101,000 insurance pay out. The remaining $173,543.94 will be paid through drug forfeiture money.
The all-volunteer Incline Marine Auxiliary Unit Office will also ask for donations from residents of Washoe County and the Incline Village community to help support additional enhancements for the Marine 9 program. Fundraising is currently underway. Anyone interested in donating to Marine 9 is asked to contact Lieutenant Jeff Clark at the Incline Village Substation at (775) 832-4104.
"I know how important this vessel is to the Incline Village community and to the thousands of people who visit Lake Tahoe each year," Sheriff Allen said. "I am also aware how effectively this community and the Sheriff's Office work together and I look forward to strengthening that partnership in the future."
In addition to its regular patrol duties, Marine 9 will also be available to assist partner agencies on Lake Tahoe, including the Nevada Department of Wildlife, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District and United States Coast Guard.
The new Titan is currently being custom built and is scheduled to be delivered during the second week of May, 2015. Sheriff Allen will host a community celebration to celebrate the inaugural voyage of the vessel. Details of the public event will be announced in the early spring.
photos: a 28-foot Titan T280 Pilot similar to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office new Marine 9 (courtesy Titan Boats)
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.
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