Washoe County replacing boat that sank

This is a 28-foot Titan T280 Pilot similar to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office new Marine 9. Photo/Titan Boats

Washoe County Sheriff’s Department is replacing the boat that sank on Memorial Day with 28-foot Titan T280 Pilot aluminum boat with twin 300-horsepower Mercury outboard motors that cost about $275,000.

The new vessel will be ready for the upcoming boating season. It is expected to be delivered the second week of May.

It will be equipped with the most technologically advanced radar, sonar, and GPS systems to assist with search, rescue and lifesaving missions along with routine marine patrol functions.

The new boat replaces the 14-year-old Marine 9 vessel which sank at a mooring off Incline Village during extreme weather conditions on May 26. While the Sheriff’s Office is still waiting for a determination as to the exact cause of the incident, a survey of the old vessel conducted by Washoe County and Traveler’s Insurance found structural issues and concluded the boat to be a total loss.

The insurance company is paying $101,000, with the remaining $173,543.94 to come from drug forfeiture money. The all-volunteer marine unit will also ask for donations from residents of Washoe County to help support additional enhancements. Anyone interested in donating to Marine 9 may call 775.832.4104.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report