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Commissioners approve purchase of sonar-equipped rescue boat to improve submerged victim recovery on Barren River
Summary
The board authorized buying a Renegade Marine tracker boat with live-scope sonar for $51,469 to enhance submerged-victim search and recovery; fire officials said the new hard-hull boat will allow quicker location of submerged victims and staff plan to request an underwater drone at a future meeting.
Bowling Green commissioners on Feb. 18 approved the purchase of a 2025 Tracker Grizzly boat from Renegade Marine and Outdoor for $51,469 as a water rescue and recovery asset.
Fire staff described past incidents where the department relied on outside agencies for sonar-equipped vessels and dive capability. Battalion Chief Bean said the city’s current inflatable boats are effective for surface rescues but not for locating submerged victims in low-visibility river conditions. "With the sonar equipment, we can actually find them," Bean said, explaining the hard-hull boat is set up to locate submerged victims suspended several feet below the surface.
Deputy Chief Doug Morris explained the purchase is the first of multiple planned investments: staff said they intend to request funding at a future meeting for an underwater drone priced at about $100,000 to assist recovery operations. Commissioners praised the investment as improving survivability and rapid response; staff said the new vessel could shorten the time to locate submerged victims and limit dependence on outside agencies.
The motion to purchase the Renegade boat through a sole-source procurement was approved unanimously present (four yes, one absent). Staff said another equipment procurement will be brought to a subsequent meeting for board approval.
