The Marine Enforcement Unit/Underwater Search and Recovery Team
is comprised of one Sergeant, twelve certified deputies and two marine mechanics. The primary function of the unit is patrol of the
Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway with it's intersecting canals, and the freshwater lakes and canals throughout
the county.
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As Patrol Officers, they patrol over 50 miles of Atlantic coastline to twelve miles offshore. The normal three mile state
limit has been extended to twelve miles due to cross certification as United States Customs Officers. Additionally, the unit
is responsible for patrolling the Intracoastal Waterway from Jupiter, FL to the north, to Boca Raton, FL at the south, and
hundreds of miles of freshwater lakes and canals.
The main office for the Marine Unit and Dive Team is centrally located at the Boynton Inlet, where three 31' ocean going
vessels and one 22' rigid hull inflatable are maintained. This provides for rapid ocean access in the central part of the
county for both patrol and rescue purposes. An additional 30' ocean vessel is docked near Jupiter Inlet for patrol of the
waters in the northern part of the county, and Loxahatchee River area.
The Marine Unit houses two 20' flats patrol boats at Lake Osborne in John Prince Park, which patrol waterways extending from
Lake Ida in Delray Beach, north to West Palm Beach, and west in the C-51 canal to Wellington. In addition, two Yamaha Waverunners,
donated by Greater Yamaha, are used for patrol in both the freshwater areas and the Intracoastal Waterway. These vessels are
located at Lake Osborne as well.
All deputies assigned to the Marine Unit/Dive Team are certified open water divers, with most being Divemasters, as well as
having specialized training in blackwater diving, public safety diving, and Drysuit diving. The blackwater and drysuit diving
training are required due to the necessity for diving in contaminated waters with little or no visibility. Most dives conducted
are for the recovery of homicide or drowning victims, evidence from various crimes, and dignitary protection.
All Dive Team members are equipped with wireless underwater communications kept with each diver in their assigned vehicle.
Additional equipment, air tanks, emergency oxygen, decontamination washdown, etc., are carried in a specially designed stepvan
which is driven to dive sites while divers are responding to the scene.
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