Marine Patrol

Responsibilities

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol unit consists of 8, commissioned sheriff's deputies, and 1 Captain. This unit is responsible for all Sheriff's Office responsibilities on the waters of Jefferson County and respond to marine incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The deputies are assigned to the boat patrol unit and are available to respond as the situation requires. In addition, these same deputies are regularly scheduled for weekend boat patrol in the summer months between the Memorial and Labor Day holidays.
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All of the deputies assigned to the boating unit have been certified by the State of Washington parks department after passing a basic, 1 week, law enforcement boating academy. In addition many of the assigned deputies have received additional training in boat accident investigation, search and rescue operations, intoxicated boater enforcement and waterborne tactical operations.

Funding

The Jefferson County Sheriff's office boating unit is largely funded by monies collected by the State of Washington from boat registration taxes with the money then disbursed to all accredited boat patrol programs throughout the State.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's office boating program goal is to provide safe and enjoyable waterways within Jefferson County, through continuing education, vessel safety inspections and enforcement action as may be required. Jefferson County Sheriff is also dedicated to monitoring and maintaining derelict vessel free waterways and has been working with local resources to include local citizen reporting, Department of Natural Resources as well as local businesses to locate, identify and properly handle these vessels on a case by case basis.

A 28 foot long Swiftsilver Lee Shore Aluminum RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat), currently is moored in the Port Hadlock Marina. Valor was built in 2012 by Lee Shore Boats in Port Angeles. Valor has twin Honda 250 outboards and is capable of traveling approximately 300 miles which enables us to respond to any area within our jurisdiction in a timely manner. With the vessel’s 10 foot, 6 inch beam it makes a versatile platform for water rescue and dive operations as well.

A 24 foot long Swiftsure Lee Shore Aluminum boat, with twin Yamaha 150 engines. Integrity is moored in Brinnon and assists in responding to calls in the Hood Canal. It is also used for rescue and dive missions. Integrity is equipped with a built-in dive door and ladder to aid in diving operations.