High-powered maritime response vessel, like this one, is in Bay County's sights.

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MARINE PATROL: Bay County Eyes $250,000 New Vessel

October 5, 2015
By: Dave Rogers

Bay County is seeking a $187,500 grant from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) for its Port Security Program for the Saginaw River and Saginaw Bay.

Now the county is in the market for a $250,000 new marine patrol vessel to provide a proper platform for the dive/recovery team, according to Kim Coonan, chairman of the Bay County Commission Ways and Means Committee.

The grant request will be considered Tuesday at a meeting of the committee prior to the regular monthly board meeting.

The county would have to cover the $62,500 balance for the boat through the general fund, donations, grants or sale of one of three existing maritime response vessels -- all from 15-24 years old.

Port Security funds are available to improve port-wide maritime risk management, enhance maritime domain awareness, support maritime security training and support port recovery capabilities.

The new vessel will provide additional response functions, will be equipped with radar and thermal imaging for search and rescue operations.

PSGP funds available to these entities are intended to improve port-wide maritime security risk management; enhance maritime domain awareness; support maritime security training and exercises; and to maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities.

PSGP investments must address Coast Guard identified vulnerabilities in port security and support the prevention, detection, response, and/or recovery from attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IED) and other non-conventional weapons.

Congress has designated $100 million total funding Available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 for the Port Security Program.

The FY 2015 PSGP grant programs directly support maritime transportation infrastructure security activities.

PSGP is one tool in the comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by the administration to strengthen the nation's critical infrastructure against risks associated with potential terrorist attacks.

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