VESSEL REVIEW | New lake patrol craft for US Army Corps of Engineers

Park rangers at Lake Cumberland in southeastern Kentucky are now better equipped to assist and educate visitors and enforce regulations with the purchase of a new patrol boat with enhanced capabilities.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nashville District recently took possession of the 25.5- by nine-foot (7.75- by 2.74-metre) boat, which was built by the Brunswick Boat Group’s Brunswick Commercial and Government Products division based in Edgewater, Florida. The vessel’s deep-V hull and pronounced chine make it easy to cut through heavy chop when responding or engaging the public about boating and water safety.

Jonathan Friedman, resource manager at Lake Cumberland and Laurel River Lake in Kentucky, said the USACE utilised the Defense Logistics Agency’s Fire and Emergency Services Equipment Program to purchase the new patrol boat from Brunswick Commercial at a cost of US$190,000. He added that the vessel is clearly marked as a Corps of Engineers patrol boat to make sure it is noticed and available to support and assist visitors to Lake Cumberland.

The new patrol boat is powered by two Mercury 200hp (149kW) outboard engines and has numerous enhanced capabilities. It has Lighthouse electronics by Raymarine to integrate all of the vessel’s systems into a user-friendly interface that can update charts and capture information and operating conditions. Its sonar is the latest version, making it possible to clearly see underwater features and, in unfortunate cases, locate bodies when searching underwater after boating accidents and drownings.

When operating in fog or low-light conditions, forward looking infrared (FLIR) capabilities enhance visibility and significantly enhance a crew’s safety posture on the water.

Lake Cumberland is located on the Cumberland River in Wayne, Russell, Pulaski, Clinton, McCreary, Laurel, and Whitley counties. The lake is known for big boats that throw big waves and for events where lots of boats congregate in coves. The new vessel absorbs the wave action and manoeuvres well in tight spaces.

The new patrol boat replaces an earlier vessel that has been used extensively for nearly 15 years.

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