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Middlesex supervisors back contingency funding for marine response vessel if grant awarded
Summary
The board authorized a letter of support and a contingent $6,000 annual maintenance line (beginning FY 2027–2028) for a proposed 29-foot emergency-response vessel if a River Counties Community Foundation grant covers the purchase.
Emergency Services Coordinator David Layman asked the Board to support a grant application to the River Counties Community Foundation for a 29-foot, center-console all-hazards emergency response vessel. Layman said the vessel would support law enforcement, EMS response, firefighting from the water, HazMat support, and search-and-rescue missions and would be trailered and housed at the Sheriff’s Office if acquired.
Layman requested that, if the grant covers acquisition, the County add $6,000 annually beginning in FY 2027–2028 to cover fuel, insurance, and maintenance. Mr. Layman described the asset as “a 29-foot center-console all-hazards emergency response vessel capable of supporting law enforcement operations, EMS response, firefighting from the water, HazMat support, and search-and-rescue missions.”
The board discussed training, volunteer staffing, and potential overlaps with U.S. Coast Guard capability at Millford Haven. Supervisor Wayne H. Jessie, Sr. moved to add the $6,000 line item contingent on grant award, authorize the County Administrator to provide a letter of support, and allow a Memorandum of Understanding with the Virginia Port Authority Maritime Incident Response Team if the grant is awarded; the motion passed 4–1 with Supervisor William A. Harris opposed.
The County’s obligation, as presented, will be limited to maintenance and operational costs if the grant is awarded and the vessel acquired; the grant would cover the purchase cost.
