Benton County Sheriff's Department Gets Two New Boats

Tag : Wash Basin & Sink

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- The Benton County Sheriff's Department is tryingto make sure everyone stays safe in the water this Summer.
What better way to patrol than with new equipment. Deputies nowhave two new boats, all part of a settlement from a fine againstthe Department of Energy.
One is a 23 foot Northwest Jet equipped with spill containmentmaterials.
"They've put containment equipment in a smaller trailer for useand, in case there's a spill in the river," said Corporal ChuckJones, with the Benton County Sheriff's Department.
The other is a 24 foot safe boat. Deputies say it has a smallercabin, aluminum frame and can't sink.
"And if they capsize they self right themselves, it also offerspadding and bumpers," said Jones.
Deputies say they have four boats total now. They weren't surewhere to get the money to get new boats, and Hanford's help is agreat benefit.
"Oh it's huge because the boats that we had were breaking down andcosting a fortune to maintain, it is perfect timing, we're verygrateful," said Jones.
But the benefits of this new equipment go beyond the Sheriff'soffice. The Columbia Basin Dive Rescue team is also takingadvantage.
"It gives us another diving platform or a way to secure a boat incase there's one drifting, their boats have more power than ours,"said Scott Pattison, with the Columbia Basin Dive Rescue.