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Police and fire describe gaps in surf-rescue capability; officials exploring remote rescue drones
Summary
Ocean Shores officials said the city lacks trained personnel and equipment to perform ocean surf rescues; staff and fire officials are researching remote-controlled rescue buoys (the "Dolphin 1" among options) and may seek funding from local reserves.
Police Chief Nikhilah told the public safety committee that the city lacks the training, manpower and insurance coverage to perform surf rescues; the department stopped operating a surf rescue team in 2014. "We do not have the means to perform safe rescues out there," the chief said, citing liability and training requirements.
The chief said one recently hired officer, Weston Free, began the academy but was activated for National Guard duty and will be unavailable for about a year; his deployment date was given as the 24th. The police department currently has two vacant entry-level positions; two local applicants are scheduled for testing later this week. The chief said he will ask council to add another position depending on hiring results.
Assistant Chief Mandela and a staff member named Mike said the departments have researched unmanned, remote-controlled rescue buoys and water drones that can be launched from the beach. Mike said the model under consideration is marketed as the "Dolphin 1," which comes in three versions; "the most expensive version is $8,000," he said, and added that some versions include a camera. He described logistical hurdles in procuring units originally sourced overseas and said a U.S. reseller based in Georgia is now available.
Mike said the Washington Administrative Code 296305 imposes strict training tiers (awareness, operations, technician) that limit a local agency's ability to send personnel into the surf. The speakers said training, insurance, and funding are the main obstacles to reconstituting a water rescue capability that enters the water.
Officials described the current step as investigatory: they plan demonstrations of candidate units, to review specifications (battery life, speed, ability to operate in surf), and to return to council with a formal recommendation. Police Department staff said funding for an initial purchase could come from the city's "3‑tenths" fund, though battery capacity, charging stations and full system cost were described as not yet finalized. No purchase vote or formal procurement was recorded in the meeting.
