Deputy Ryan Duster poses on the Yamaha VC1800-VB. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office will be able to conduct water patrols more efficiently thanks to the two new jet skis they recently purchased.
MISSOULA COUNTY - The Missoula County Sheriff's Office has a new method of patrolling local bodies of water during warmer seasons.
Missoula County Sergeant Bob Parcell said the Office recently purchased its second jet ski earlier this year after having purchased one in 2020. The newer one is currently in Kalispell having its lights and decals installed.
The waverunners will be used to patrol all lakes to make sure boaters have the appropriate registration and are taking safety precautions like wearing life jackets. Parcell said they will also be used for rescue and recovery missions if necessary. They will primarily be used in the warmer months although they could be used in the colder ones should a situation call for their usage.
Parcell said for a while deputies had a boat that was not very operational. It worked for a long time but then it began having major mechanical problems. Because the waverunners only require one operator he believes they will be more efficient when going out on the water
"You can do two or three lakes in a day easily," he said.
The unit purchased in 2020 was a Yamaha VC1800-VB which cost $16,378 not including a trailer, decals and lights. The unit purchased in February 2021 is a Yamaha FX SVHO. It cost $16,876 without additional features.
The Sheriff's Office only had a short window to use the one they purchased last year so they are looking forward to using it more this summer.
"We've been looking forward to getting these guys," Parcell said. "They are very handy, easy to use. And I think they're going to be a real great addition to the unit."
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