Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Dedication Commitment Service
During the summer months we have the DARE officer act as marine officer. The boats we use are funded by the State of Washington Parks Department from annual vessel registration tabs purchased by boaters. In return, we do routine patrol on the Columbia River, conduct vessel safety inspections, investigate vessel collisions and enforce state and local boating safety laws. Our Marine Patrol boats are always staffed with at least one fully commissioned deputy sheriff. In addition to the DARE/Marine Officer, twelve other sheriff’s deputies are certified marine officers who assist with routine patrol and emergency response and rescues. Non-commissioned marine reserve personnel assist the deputies on a voluntary basis. Marine officers present safety programs to children at area summer camp programs and assist the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in teaching their safe boating curriculum.
We have a good working relationship with Douglas County Fire Protection District #2 which stores one of our boats at its headquarters station in East Wenatchee. They tow our boat to area launches and meet our marine officers. This has greatly improved our response time to emergencies.
Our marine patrol has assisted our department and neighboring agencies with transporting investigators to remote crime scenes, marijuana eradication, crowd control for concerts at the Gorge, transporting firefighters and equipment to hard to reach fires and protecting helicopters dipping water buckets in the Columbia River and Lake Chelan.
The main goal of our marine patrol is to assist boaters in enjoying our local waterways in a safe manner.
A courtesy safety inspection of your vessel by one of our marine officers can be scheduled by calling 884-1535.
