The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is enhancing its waterborne emergency response capabilities with the addition of a new 27-foot SAFE Boat, replacing a 26-year-old vessel that has served the Marine Unit since 1999.

Announced by County Legislature Planning & Public Works Chairman Joel Friedman, the new boat comes equipped with the latest technology and is part of a broader commitment to improving safety and security on the Hudson River.

“The Sheriff’s Office needs this new boat because the current 1999 boat is well beyond its better days,” Legislator Friedman said. “It’s also important to understand that the Sheriff’s Office uses their boats not just for routine river patrols, such as taking impaired operators off the water, but also for emergency responses to plane crashes, capsizing, and other incidents. The department needs the right tools for the job no matter the emergency.”

The vessel, built by Safe Boats International of Bremerton, Washington, will cost $575,000, a price that includes training and outfitting with modern enforcement and rescue equipment. Funding is being provided through the federal Department of Homeland Security’s 2024 FEMA Port Security Grant, already accepted by the Rockland County Legislature and County Executive.

The Marine Unit currently operates two boats with enclosed cabins capable of year-round use—weather permitting—and one smaller open-cabin boat for shallow water operations. All boats are equipped for law enforcement activities and search-and-rescue missions.

In 2024 alone, the Marine Unit has responded to 525 incidents, ranging from drownings and vessel distress calls to homeland security-related tasks. Notable responses include:

• 3 drownings

• 12 search and rescue efforts

• 26 vessel-in-distress calls

• 32 assists to other agencies

• 179 port and homeland security-related calls

The Marine Unit patrols a 33-mile stretch of the Hudson River—from Bear Mountain to Palisades—offering a mix of enforcement, environmental, and emergency services. The unit also plays a critical role in the security of key infrastructure such as the Bear Mountain Bridge and Gov. Mario Cuomo (Tappan Zee) Bridge, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Governor’s Hudson River Estuary Law Enforcement Task Force.

In emergency scenarios, river patrol officers are often joined by divers, EMTs, firefighters, and other law enforcement officials, forming a versatile and responsive team capable of handling a wide array of waterborne incidents.

With this new boat, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office aims to further strengthen its marine operations and continue protecting residents and visitors along one of the region’s most vital waterways.