The council authorized the city manager to finalize a purchase agreement for a new marine patrol vessel and approved a $60,000 appropriation from the equipment rental reserve to complete the $660,000 procurement. The vessel will replace Patrol 11, in service since 1997 and found to have hull fatigue in a 2024 survey.

Why it matters: Mercer Island operates a regional marine patrol on Lake Washington that provides maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, dive recovery and safety services across about 34 miles of shoreline for partner jurisdictions including Bellevue, Renton, Medina, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point. Staff said the fleet’s age and the safety mission justified replacement.

Services Commander Jeff Magnan described the RFP and vendor selection. The city solicited Washington State builders and selected Inventech Marine Solutions, doing business as LifeProof Boats (Port Orchard), as the most cost‑effective and mission‑appropriate vendor. The procurement includes a fully outfitted commercial‑grade vessel, sea trials, staff inspections at construction milestones, a transport trailer and sales tax. Staff said inspections will include pre‑welding, whole‑hull checks, rigging start and sea trials. While the new boat is built, the existing vessel will remain in service; once accepted the old Patrol 11 will be decommissioned and sold.

Finance details: The equipment rental fund budget for 2025–26 included $600,000 for a new vessel; the $60,000 additional appropriation will come from a $1.25 million vehicle replacement reserve in that fund. Council Member Weinberg asked for confirmation that the cost will be recovered under a cost‑recovery model shared with partner jurisdictions; staff confirmed the unit will be part of the interlocal cost structure and partner fees will contribute to ongoing costs.

Council discussion noted the vessel’s life‑saving role in storm and search‑and‑rescue operations and asked about firefighting and dewatering capability; staff said the boat will include a 500 gpm dewatering/pump system that can be used to spray water and assist firefighting operations where needed. Council approved the appropriation and authorization to execute the purchase agreement on a roll‑call vote.

Next steps: Staff will inspect construction at key milestones, accept the vessel after sea trials and transfer equipment as needed. Patrol 11 will be decommissioned and sold; delivery and retirement timing will be scheduled with life‑cycle and partner planning.