Sheriff’s boat Sentinel to remain in service through the summer
Posted April 7, 2022 at 7:33 am by Jeff Arnim
With the busy tourist and boating seasons on the horizon, the San Juan County Council has opted to delay the planned sale of Sentinel, one of the primary emergency response vessels operated by the County Sheriff’s Office.
At the Council meeting held this past Tuesday, April 5, Sheriff Ron Krebs recommended that the County pause the auction of the 38-foot vessel until at least September 1 and delay the purchase of its replacement.
“What makes sense is that we work through the summer,” Krebs explained. “That allows us to get through the busy season. Pushing back [the sale] allow us to take care of the residents of the County, and I don’t see that we’re going to lose a tremendous amount of value from the boat by using it for another six months.”
Delaying the acquisition of the new boat – which will be purpose-built for Sheriff’s operations, instead of designed to serve the combined needs of both the Sheriff’s Office and Fire & Rescue – is not expected to cost the County any additional money, according to Krebs.
Councilmember Cindy Wolf expressed concern about Fire & Rescue operating Sentinel over the summer, given the damage caused by the agency’s operation of the boat in years past. Krebs confirmed that Sheriff’s deputies are available to provide assistance to other agencies but will continue to pilot the vessel exclusively, as they have since July of last year.
“Nothing is going to change from the way we’re doing it now,” Krebs told the Council. “If there is an emergency that Fire needs to get to, then we absolutely will make ourselves available to get them there. I understand their desire to take care of the citizens of San Juan County. We all have that same goal and mission.”
A proposal to surplus the Sentinel and apply the proceeds toward a new vessel was brought before the Council by the Sheriff’s office in late January of this year. Following a public hearing and guidance from the Auditor’s office, the Council had recommended a sale at public auction for a price of not less than $300,000.
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