Grant Scott-Goforth/The Times-Standard
07/15/2012 02:40:02 AM PDT
Homeland Security grants have put a versatile new security boat on Humboldt Bay, with a second fire boat coming soon.
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Chief Executive Officer Jack Crider said the new vessel gives them a valuable tool for research, rescue and maintenance.
”It's all about having the right equipment,” Crider said.
Bar pilot John Powell described some of the features of the new boat as he pushed the throttle and guided the boat at 40 mph across a calm Humboldt Bay this week.
He said it was an improvement over a previous aluminum boat in nearly every way.
”It's pretty well loaded,” Powell said. “This one's much more dependable.”
It's a stable boat, with a catamaran hull that sits high in the water. Jack plates raise and lower two 250-horsepower outboard motors, allowing the boat to traverse shallow water. This ability, along with a gate that lowers on the front of the boat, allows it to beach on the bay's shores and mud flats.
”Pull up, stick it in the mud,” Powell said.
The gate allows crews to easily get on and off a beach without a dock, and allows them to work at water level pulling people out of the bay or maintaining the district's marina.
A sidescan sonar provides detailed imaging, which aids security and will allow the district to look at underwater infrastructure.
”You can pretty much take care of anything,” Powell said.
The district will also be adding a new fire boat to its fleet soon. Crider said the boat will be able to fight dock fires and assist boats that are on fire, and they are working on a training and use agreement with Humboldt Bay Fire.
The security boat arrived at the district around the same time as Crider, who began on May 1. Crider said district staff, commissioners and former CEO David Hull, who was fired without cause last year, were successful in securing grants to pay for the new boats.
Crider has been eager to streamline the district. He said he's making some administrative changes, some operational changes and looking at ways to lower costs and increase revenues.
Harbor district Commissioner Mike Wilson said Crider brings a skill set that's useful for the district that -- like many government agencies -- is facing a tight budget.
”As an agency, we have such a broad array of responsibilities,” Wilson said. “Jack has really hit the ground running. He's working very well with staff.”
One of Crider's goals is aquaculture expansion. He said the district is currently working on getting more oyster land permitted for interested farmers. They are managing -- and paying for -- a dredging schedule, researching aquatic grasses and maintaining the marina.
Crider said an updated list of projects focuses on a host of attainable projects before tackling hundred million dollar undertakings. It doesn't mean he can't dream.
”The other day I was asked if I had a magic wand to wave, what I would want,” Crider said. “I said a good dock and a good pier.”
07/15/2012 02:40:02 AM PDT
Homeland Security grants have put a versatile new security boat on Humboldt Bay, with a second fire boat coming soon.
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Chief Executive Officer Jack Crider said the new vessel gives them a valuable tool for research, rescue and maintenance.
”It's all about having the right equipment,” Crider said.
Bar pilot John Powell described some of the features of the new boat as he pushed the throttle and guided the boat at 40 mph across a calm Humboldt Bay this week.
He said it was an improvement over a previous aluminum boat in nearly every way.
”It's pretty well loaded,” Powell said. “This one's much more dependable.”
It's a stable boat, with a catamaran hull that sits high in the water. Jack plates raise and lower two 250-horsepower outboard motors, allowing the boat to traverse shallow water. This ability, along with a gate that lowers on the front of the boat, allows it to beach on the bay's shores and mud flats.
”Pull up, stick it in the mud,” Powell said.
The gate allows crews to easily get on and off a beach without a dock, and allows them to work at water level pulling people out of the bay or maintaining the district's marina.
A sidescan sonar provides detailed imaging, which aids security and will allow the district to look at underwater infrastructure.
”You can pretty much take care of anything,” Powell said.
The district will also be adding a new fire boat to its fleet soon. Crider said the boat will be able to fight dock fires and assist boats that are on fire, and they are working on a training and use agreement with Humboldt Bay Fire.
The security boat arrived at the district around the same time as Crider, who began on May 1. Crider said district staff, commissioners and former CEO David Hull, who was fired without cause last year, were successful in securing grants to pay for the new boats.
Crider has been eager to streamline the district. He said he's making some administrative changes, some operational changes and looking at ways to lower costs and increase revenues.
Harbor district Commissioner Mike Wilson said Crider brings a skill set that's useful for the district that -- like many government agencies -- is facing a tight budget.
”As an agency, we have such a broad array of responsibilities,” Wilson said. “Jack has really hit the ground running. He's working very well with staff.”
One of Crider's goals is aquaculture expansion. He said the district is currently working on getting more oyster land permitted for interested farmers. They are managing -- and paying for -- a dredging schedule, researching aquatic grasses and maintaining the marina.
Crider said an updated list of projects focuses on a host of attainable projects before tackling hundred million dollar undertakings. It doesn't mean he can't dream.
”The other day I was asked if I had a magic wand to wave, what I would want,” Crider said. “I said a good dock and a good pier.”