Agencies obtain boat through DNR
Published 11:09 am Wednesday, July 6, 2016
- Joe Joe Wright/Cordele Dispatch (l-r) Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith, Crisp County Fire Chief Jonathan Windham and Major Jeff Youngblood all commented on the new boat obtained by a collaboration of the CCSO and SCSO along with the DNR.
By JOE JOE WRIGHT
joejoe.wright@cordeledispatch.com
CORDELE — As part of an ongoing effort to protect and serve the citizens of their respective counties, Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock and Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith joined forces with the Department of Natural Resources to acquire a boat for use by area agencies to extend that protection to on the water as well as off.
Photo By Joe Joe Wright/Cordele Dispatch
“The boat will be utilized for patrolling, rescue, and aid stranded vessels,” said Major Jeff Youngblood of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.”
The boat, a 1999 McKee Craft with a 2007 Mercury 200 opti max motor, was a surplus item in the DNR’s inventory and was available for a reasonable price.
“This boat is bigger and better than the one we currently have in service,” said Chief Jonathan Windham of Crisp County Fire and Rescue. “It will come in very handy.”
There was some minor work to be done to the boat and it had to be equipped with a light and decals before being put into service. All agencies will have access to the boat, which will be housed at The Marina at no charge.
“I am grateful for the collaborative effort between the two counties to make things like this happen,” said Sumter Sheriff Pete Smith. Both agencies also expressed their gratitude to State Representative Buddy Harden who was instrumental in helping transfer the boat to the county from the state.
