Government Fleet, November 2020

Buying the Boat Once you have listed the operational requirements reach out and visit other agencies doing a similar mission and in a similar environment to your jurisdiction Harbor Police Captain Chris Woodward cautions Dont reinvent the wheel If you do your homework you can find other agencies that have been through this process who can advise you on best practices related to this type of purchase These trips will give you valuable insights into unforeseen issues and aspects that you have not thought to address Once you have chosen a vessel manufacturer a visit to their plant and to other agencies that use their vessels is in order Environmental factors are often an afterthought One factor that was important to consider for our operating environment was kelp the seaweed that grows in abundance around San Diego Bay We had to install a rake system and adjust our operating procedures after having numerous issues with kelp clogging our vessels jet propulsion system Ultimately there will always be unforeseen circumstances when undertaking a project of this magnitude Keeping them to a minimum is key throughout this process Understanding your vessels mission will help you understand the level of customization required If you are purchasing an off the shelf vessel you will need to work with the existing features of that vessel This includes the propulsion hull design deck layout electronics storage solutions emergency lights or any other modifications you might need Off the shelf vessels are generally cheaper and outfitting them is very similar to a patrol vehicle If you are purchasing a custom or semi custom vessel the outfitting is much easier This is due to the vessel being made specifically for your department Everything can be customized to suit your needs including hull length and design deck space and layout propulsion lights and electronics Keep in mind this comes with a price Once you have taken delivery of the vessel you should arrange for a three to six month evaluation period During this time have the vessel crews note any issues during routine and emergency operations These issues can range from propulsion and deck space layout to equipment placement and ergonomics This is especially important if you are purchasing more than one vessel Identifying issues early will give you options before finalizing a loadout for your second vessel Ultimately your process for selecting a vessel will be unique to your agency A prepared set of mission expectations input from outside of your agency and knowledge of the initial and recurring costs will streamline the process There will always be unforeseen issues that emerge during a major procurement process but developing and following a solid plan will minimize them About the Authors Mark G Stainbrook chief of the San Diego Harbor Police Department HPD Sgt T D De La Pena a 15 year veteran with the Port of San Diego Harbor Police PHOTO PORT OF SAN DIEGO HARBOR POLICE Understanding your vessels mission will help you understand the level of customization required NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2020 GOVERNMENT FLEET COM 33