"The current boat it served its purpose, but it also has some serious deficiencies."
Even when it was brand new 22 years ago, East Grand Rapids Public Safety Director Ric Buikema says the city’s current rescue boat was not a good fit.
“It is designed for shallow water. Reed's Lake has areas where you're over 50 ft deep. It doesn’t perform up to standards and is a safety risk.”
To meet the department’s needs Buikema is buying a new $101,000 air boat.
“Meets the short distance quick response rescue situations that we have primarily on Reeds and Fisk Lake.”
The new boat has an eight-foot deck for patient care, even has a lift motor to haul a person out of the water.
"Right now it's just grabbing somebody by the shoulders or the arms and trying to heave them up on the boat."
And to cover part of the cost, Buikema thinks he can sell the old one.
“We'd like to sell it in Florida where our boat could sell for $40,000 or more.”
The new boat should arrive by the end of the year. Mayor Katie Favale says she didn’t realize the need was so great,
"I had no idea that the other boat was so unstable and risky. I'm excited about this one. Hopefully it'll suit our needs a lot better."
