News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2004

Metropolitan Police Department Receives Life-Saving Personal Watercraft from
Yamaha U.S.A. as Part of National Law Enforcement Loan Program

Addition to Harbor Patrol’s Fleet Will Enhance On-Water Patrols and Rescues

Contact:
Elinore Boeke, 202-737-9768

Washington, DC—The Metropolitan Police Department will participate in a program offered by manufacturers that loan personal watercraft (PWC) to law enforcement and other agencies. Lieutenant Al Durham, commander of the DC Harbor Patrol, whose division will use the vessel, attended a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating this addition to his fleet at the Harbor Patrol’s southwest waterfront headquarters.

Between all manufacturers, the Personal Watercraft Loan Program has loaned approximately 15,000 vessels to various law enforcement, rescue and marine mammal research organizations since the program’s inception in 1989.

“Although we just recently cut the ribbon, we actually received the WaveRunner a few weeks ago so that our officers could receive the appropriate training to operate it,” stated Lt. Durham, “and it has already been used in a rescue situation that required swift response and maneuverability. The WaveRunner performed perfectly and I’d eventually like to see more PWC join our fleet,” he continued.

There are many recreational day boaters as well as people who live aboard houseboats in Washington, DC. The DC Harbor Patrol estimates that this year there are approximately 2,400 registered boats and close to 20 marinas in the District. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it’s common for as many as 500 boaters to be out on DC waters on a weekend afternoon. The 21 officers of the DC Harbor Patrol are responsible for overall boating safety and enforcing the local boating and navigational laws. To assure boaters meet the District’s requirements, the DC Harbor Patrol offers mandatory boating safety courses.

Until recently when the Personal Watercraft Industry Association approached Yamaha about the PWC loan, the DC Harbor Patrol has relied almost exclusively on its fleet of Boston Whaler boats. “The new WaveRunner will allow us to get in close when approaching boaters who fall overboard or are injured in the water,” said Lt. Durham, “and it definitely has a purpose in assisting us in our boating safety efforts here in the District of Columbia.”

Modern PWC are one of the most environmentally-friendly motorized vessels on the water. As a result of remarkable technological advancements, today’s vessels are 75 percent cleaner and 70 percent quieter than those sold before 1998. All PWC sold today are compliant with all federal and state emissions and sound requirements. Some already meet the EPA’s 2006 emissions standards.

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*Note to newspapers: High-resolution photographs are available upon request.