Bay County to Receive Grant Award for new Marine Patrol Vessel
On July 29th, Bay County received notification that we have been awarded the entire funding request for FEMA's Port Security Grant Program, which will be used for a new marine response vessel. In total Bay County will receive $187,500 dollars, to which Bay County will match 25 percent or $62,500.
The grant funds will be used to assist in the funding of a new, all-hazards capable 25' Sheriff Marine Port Security Vessel. This will provide a badly needed upgrade to the County's ability to provide LE, Search and Rescue/ Recovery and surveillance of critical infrastructure along the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay. This vessel will increase the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) response capabilities of the Bay County Sheriff's Department by providing a platform that is quickly deployable throughout the Saginaw waterway. Bay County Sheriff's Department by providing a platform that is quickly deployable throughout the Saginaw waterway.
The existing three boats in BCSO's fleet are 15-20 years old and subject to significant maintenance and repair issues due to age. They are all somewhat under-powered, single engine boats with minimal GPS and no radar.
This grant will provide a significant improvement to our coverage for one of the larger recreational boating/ fishing areas in the United States that also happens to be a major Commercial shipping lane supplying much of Central Michigan. This will be a tremendous benefit to the Bay County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol and will definitely provide better capabilities for making the waters of Bay County a safer place.