Since the idea of career EMS staff started to become a reality approx 2 years ago CALS has been looking for ways to diversify its service coverage. Many discussions were held as to possible options to pursue, but in the end the "Boat" idea made the most sense. Calvert County is a peninsula, their are several events on the water throughout the summer months and the addition of a boat staffed with ALS providers was received well by some of the BLS departments in the county. Work began in spring of 2018 on choosing the type of boat for the mission that CALS was looking for. Special events, near shore, shallow waters, large enough to place a patient in. Many of the current zodiacs in the county are just big enough for the crews they carry and not many are properly equipped to operate at night. CALS looked to Lt Pete Davekos and Chief 10B Adam Davies to assess several watercraft options, while Chief 10 worked on funding for the boat. Chief 10 was able to find two groups who together would cover the entire cost of the boat through "Grants", sadly one of the two grants fell through at the last minute and CALS was left with a choice. Return the grant funds of $25,000 or keep the funds and use other sources of funding to cover the other half. CALS chose to keep the grant money and move forward with the purchase of the boat.
Boat 10 on it's inaugural test with Lt. Davekos.
Boat 10 is a 20.2 ft rigid hull inflatable made by Inmar. The boat is operated by a minimum of two providers and has several special featured such as side scan sonar.
Boat 10 working it's first boater assist call during its first day on the water. While out on the water boat 10 came across a family in thier boat which had lost power. The boat was rocking dangerously in the waves and was in jeopardy of capsizing. Boat 10 towed the boat to a safe pier and turned the family over to tow boat us.
Towing the boat out of danger to a safer area in a protected harbor.
Day 2 brought a second assist when a kyaker with no life jacket fell out of his boat and was separated from the boat. The kayaker was removed from the water and his kayak was recovered as well and taken back to a pier.