COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office will soon have a new tool for underwater searches following the Board of Supervisors’ approval of a $26,821 grant to purchase a sonar-equipped drone and make improvements to an existing patrol boat.
Supervisors approved the grant agreement Oct. 6 as part of the consent agenda. Funding comes through the California Division of Boating and Waterways to improve search and rescue capabilities and recreational boating safety.
The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be used in the Sacramento River and East Park Reservoir. It includes forward-facing sonar, a robotic claw for retrieving objects, a remote controller with a viewing screen and a 600-foot tether.
Colusa County Sheriff’s Deputy Martin Sanchez, the grant’s project representative, said in the department’s application that the drone will help deputies locate hidden obstructions, investigate boating accidents and recover submerged evidence.
The technology will also protect rescue personnel by allowing deputies to examine potentially dangerous areas before sending divers into the water, officials said.
Currently, the department relies on its dive team or assistance from neighboring agencies for specialized searches. Sanchez said obtaining outside help can take hours or days, depending on availability.
The Sacramento River presents additional challenges because submerged hazards and changing terrain are not always visible from the surface.
The grant will cover 75% of the drone’s cost, with the Sheriff’s Office providing the remaining 25%. The county’s $6,500.25 contribution is already included in the department’s budget, officials said. The remaining funds will pay for repairs to the department’s Jetcraft patrol boat, which has experienced considerable wear from years of use.
Work includes replacing damaged upholstery on the captain’s chairs, passenger benches and engine cover. Sanchez said exposed wood and staples create potential hazards for passengers and rescue personnel. The boat will also receive a new exterior wrap to replace faded markings, making it more readily identifiable as a law enforcement vessel. The repairs are intended to extend the Jetcraft’s service life and keep it available for boating safety enforcement and emergency response operations.
Federal funding comes from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.
The grant’s performance period extends through Sept. 30, 2027.