PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office has added a souped-up saltwater patrol vessel to its marine unit.
The 26-foot Protector was launched last month for patrolling the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Pacific Ocean that border Clallam County.
It is equipped with inflatable sides and an enclosed aluminum cabin with high-tech gizmos and gadgets that will enhance marine security details, Sheriff’s Deputy Ralph Edgington said.
Edgington, a member of the marine unit, said the Protector is a big step up from the 19-foot inflatable Zodiac that it replaces.
“There’s no comparison,” Edgington said.
The Protector is powered by twin 175-horsepower, four-cylinder outboard engines. A seaworthy vessel, the Protector has a 100-gallon fuel tank for long-range patrols.
“It’s a very nimble boat,” Edgington said.
“I like the way it handles.”
The Protector is equipped with 3-D capability, a mobile data terminal and a radar tower.
It will be used primarily for safety patrols, fishing regulation enforcement and border security operations, Edgington said.
The marine unit christened the vessel in a multijurisdictional training operation in the Strait and the Pacific Ocean.
Edgington said the unit works closely with the Coast Guard, Border Patrol and state Fish and Wildlife authorities.
The boat, its custom-designed trailer and deputy training were funded through a Federal Emergency Management Agency port security grant.
Clallam County was a subrecipient of the $388,104 grant with the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, a group that provides communications tools for its maritime members.
Edgington said the Protector came in about $50,000 under budget.
Lee Shore Boats of Port Angeles built the vessel to the marine unit’s specifications.
“We’re really proud of this boat,” said Lee Shore President Eric Schneider.
“It was a good one for us.”
Edgington said Schneider and his team did an “excellent job of workmanship on it.”
Antonio Salguero of Coastwise Marine Design in Nordland designed the Protector.
The marine unit also uses an 18-foot Boston Whaler for patrolling lakes, mainly Lake Sutherland.
The Zodiac inflatable that previously was used in the Strait is being sold to another law enforcement agency because the Sheriff’s Office invested $14,000 to outfit it.
Edgington said the Protector was built to accommodate future upgrades in technology. With proper maintenance, he said, it has the potential to serve the county for 40 years.
Local businesses that helped the Sheriff’s Office build and outfit the boat include Coastwise Marine Design, Port Angeles Power Equipment, All Fab Trailers, Peninsula Boatworks, Swain’s General Store, Scott’s Auto Trim, Hartnagel Building Supply, Baxter Auto Parts, Thurmans Supply, The Home Depot in Sequim, Haven Boat Works of Port Townsend, Copy Cat Graphics and Way Point Electronics.
“A lot of local merchants took part on this,” Edgington said.
The Clallam County Marine Unit is composed Deputies Edgington, Jef Boyd, Bobby Cannon, Mel Kempf, Mark Millet and Eric Munger; Sgt. Randy Pieper; and Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
