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The Sheriff’s Office has put into operation a new vessel that is helping to pull trees and large debris from the river.
A MK2S was obtained, with help from Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shavers, from Red River Army Depot in Texas.
The vessel is a 2005 model with 23 hours on twin 7.3 liter Cummings diesel engines. The twenty-nine foot, 9,000 pound boat was used by the army for construction and general support. As new technology emerged, the mission the vessel supported became obsolete.
The Army purchased the boat for approximately $210,000. The Sheriff’s Office acquired the boat at no cost through the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) 1033 Program.
The LESO is responsible for transferring excess Department of Defense property to state and local law enforcement agencies. The LESO 1033 Program allows qualifying agencies to receive this property at little or no cost to the agencies.
The MK2S will be used to better Etowah County by maintaining the Coosa shoreline, search and rescue, dive team operations and special events such as Renew Our Rivers.
Sheriff Entrekin adds, “We now have the capability to remove large debris from the river, as well as to pull boaters to safety whose boats may have broken down.”
The vessel will not be used for patrol.
“We are excited about the endless possibilities this boat will provided. It will enhance our efforts to keep the river clean and safe for recreational boating, as well as for fishermen who participate in local fishing tournaments,” says Sheriff Entrekin.
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