One of the boats is a 25' offshore Alumaweld, manufactured in White City,
and comes equipped with twin (EPA and carb-compliant 4-stroke) 150 horsepower
outboard motors, and full electronics for emergency response in inclement
weather and low visibility.
The county will also receive a 21 foot walkthrough jet boat built by Liquid
Technologies, in Grants Pass. The aluminum jet boat is equipped with a 6.0 L
fuel injected engine that produces low carbon emissions and is more fuel
efficient than boats built prior to 2006. The jet propulsion is capable of
being operated in a variety of conditions including water depth as little as six
inches, on a full plane, with a carrying capacity of 1200 pounds and max speed
of 40 MPH. This boat is ideal for varying water levels and will allow marine
deputies to respond to emergency situations, quickly.
The two new patrol boats replace a fleet of five, older patrol boats
ranging in age from 1988 to 1996 (average age was 19 years). The average age of
the current Marine Board boat fleet statewide is 15 years. The Marine Board
developed a procurement and retention schedule similar those used for law
enforcement vehicles and is retiring older boats with newer models that require
less fuel and maintenance.
The replacement program is also intended to match equipment to the specific
needs based on the waterbodies being patrolled and the specific types of
responses needed. Columbia County traded the five older Marine Board boats for
a value of $56,500 and combined with $90,000 of Marine Board state boater funds
for a total cost of 146,500.
The Columbia County marine program currently has two full-time marine
deputies and seven reserve deputies assigned to rescue and marine operations.
Columbia County has approximately 20,411 surface acres of patrolled water and
includes the Columbia, Nehalem, Clatskaine, and Gilbert Rivers and the Multnomah
Channel.
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