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Council approves $40,000 supplemental allocation for Beaufort Water Search & Rescue
Summary
Beaufort County Council unanimously approved a $40,000 supplemental allocation from contingency to replace aging rescue boats after rescue personnel told council two vessels have exceeded their service life and one Carolina Skiff is unsuitable for rough water.
Beaufort County Council voted unanimously on Feb. 9 to approve a $40,000 supplemental allocation from the council contingency line item to Beaufort Water Search & Rescue for boat replacement and upkeep.
Rescue representatives told council that two of their Bluffton‑area boats have exceeded their service lives and now require increasing repairs. A rescue representative said one flat‑bottom Carolina Skiff "is not designed to be in rough water" and needs replacement. Staff explained Beaufort Water Search & Rescue uses a fleet of different boat types stationed around the county because "not every boat can be used for every situation," and that different craft are required for shallow, rough and deep‑water missions. A used replacement in the 20‑ to 23‑foot range was estimated in the meeting at roughly $50,000–$60,000, with the rescue group and Town of Port Royal support noted.
Council used contingency funds for the request; following discussion, the motion passed by show of hands and was recorded as unanimous. Staff later said the contingency balance would remain approximately $32,006.65 after the allocation.
