Cabell County Sheriff Deputies and Cabell County EMS Director Gordon Merry place new off state-of-the-art search and rescue boat on June 15, 2016 obtained by the sheriff department through grants.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Although it’s not ready for police work quite yet, the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department’s new search and rescue boat got a bit of practice out-speeding Wednesday afternoon’s torrential downpour as it traveled down the Ohio River.
Cabell County Sheriff Tom McComas said the boat engine only has less than seven of the 20 hours needed before it can be used at its true potential.
“We are in the process of training staff,” he said. “There will be several deputy sheriffs trained on the vessel and the way it works, as well as EMS employees.”
The boat is currently unmarked and was not quite prepared for its debut Wednesday. McComas decided to present it early to show the technology in light of the search in Orlando for a 2-year-old boy killed after an alligator attack late Tuesday evening.
Costs for the boat totaled about $226,000…
