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Council approves purchase of a rescue watercraft (jet ski) for summer water-rescue operations
Summary
Council authorized repurposing budgeted capital to buy a 2025-model rescue watercraft (jet ski) as an agile response option; staff plan to train instructors and roll out department-wide training before Memorial Day.
Public safety staff described a plan to add a rescue watercraft (jet ski) to the city's water-rescue toolkit, positioning it between SEABOB personal rescue devices and a larger boat. The presenter said the city's older 19-foot inflatable has reached end of service and that a local dealer has a new 2025 model available. "This jet ski or rescue watercraft really fills a piece that's between the SEABOB and the boat," the presenter said, arguing the craft will allow quicker in-water response and complement mutual-aid boats from neighboring jurisdictions.
Staff said some personnel will be sent to become qualified jet-ski rescue instructors and then will teach the rest of the department; formal training is scheduled a few days before Memorial Day. Council discussed timing and mutual-aid arrangements and agreed to adopt the ordinance authorizing the purchase from a budgeted capital line.
