In mid-June of this year, Lake Assault Boats, globally renowned manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific patrol, rescue, and fire boats, placed a 34-foot patrol vessel on duty with Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Search and rescue missions
The boat is moored at the law enforcement dock in Bayfield, Wisconsin State, on the shores of Lake Superior. Among the craft’s responsibilities are the enforcement of commercial and sport fisheries laws, and response to a wide range of search and rescue missions on Lake Superior.
“Lake Assault Boats are engineered and manufactured on the shores of Lake Superior to stand up to the challenges faced when operating on the largest freshwater lake in the world,” said Chad DuMars, Lake Assault Boats vice president of operations. “We are very proud to have this boat serving alongside the Wisconsin DNR to enforce regulations and keep citizens safe.”
Digital anchor and joystick system
Commercial and sport fishing regulations enforcement is a major aspect of the department’s mission
Commercial and sport fishing regulations enforcement is a major aspect of the department’s mission, and this includes joint patrols with tribal wardens. These patrols often involve maneuvering in tight quarters in up to four- and even six-foot waves. Fortunately, the craft is outfitted with a digital anchor and joystick system to provide excellent boat control in challenging conditions.
The craft features a modified V-hull design and a large walk around pilothouse with seating for four. The bow cuddy cabin includes a forward hatch and a full door separating the main cabin from a lower cabin area. The gunnel is a minimum of 12-inches wide, and there are numerous strategically mounted grab rails. The boat is about four feet longer and a foot wider than the one it replaced, and the wider gunnels and more numerous handrails are important safety features on Lake Superior.
Fitted with advanced electronics
Being outfitted with advanced electronics was another important priority when developing the craft’s specifications. There are Garmin 16-inch and 12-inch touchscreen monitors that control GPS, sonar, chartplotting, structure scan sonar, 4G radar and a forward looking infrared system.
Other components include a multiband police radio, a WHF marine radio, and an electro-mechanical fold down radio tower mast. The craft was placed into service in mid-June and has already recorded more than 130 hours of service.
