Schoolcraft Co. gets new patrol boat

The Schoolcraft County Sheriff Department has a new rescue tool. The agency, though a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, recently took delivery of a new patrol boat for Marine Patrol use on inland lakes.

The 16 foot Lund boat, trailer and Mercury outboard are valued at $11,500.00. The cost of the unit was fully funded by the DNR.

Schoolcraft County Undersheriff Robert Madden is pleased with the continued cooperation between the Sheriff’s Department, DNR, and ultimately the County Board. “I’m glad the DNR has continued to recognize that our Sheriff Department is out there providing this type of “remote” law enforcement, and we are doing it professionally and efficiently. We are also very grateful that our County Board sees the importance of these State funded programs and continues to support them.”

Sheriff Grant Harris is satisfied with the status of the department’s Special Operations equipment. “Everything the deputies deploy – from boats, to ATV’s, to snowmobiles and trailers are now 2006 or newer. A large number of our calls involve some type of rescue or assistance, and we need to be sure our people have the tools they need to respond reliably and safely. We can’t thank the DNR enough for providing us this vessel at no cost to the County.”

The new patrol boat replaces the department’s 1995 Northwoods and Force outboard. The Schoolcraft County Board has approved the sale of the old boat on bids in the spring. Details on that sale will be released when they are available.