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Airboat Team

Team Leader: Sergeant Chris Simmons

The Bureau's three airboats are used for search and rescue objectives only. These vessels are strategically located statewide. The Airboat Team consists of certified operators, and about half of the Warden Service is certified. The team trains and responds statewide to thin ice or treacherous conditions with airboats to support SAR operations. Due to effectiveness and public relations, airboats are not used for other law enforcement purposes.

In 2006, the Airboat Team and Airboat No. 2 was deployed to one incident on the Aroostook River in Caribou to search for a body over a 29-mile stretch of river. During this deployment, 26 hours of training time was utilized by individual team members. The team often takes advantage of operational deployments to provide an opportunity for airboat operators to get additional experience and training.

During April 2007, our airboats were deployed during the now infamous Patriot's Day Nor'Easter. During this devastating weather event the Bureau rescued 36 people from peril.

 

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