A cooperative agreement for water search and rescue between the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue District and the Island County Sheriff’s Department discussed at the July 10 fire commissioners meeting was put to rest at a special meeting Wednesday, July 18.

Discussions between Chief Marv Koorn and Sheriff Mark Brown over the purchase/lease of a 28-foot fiberglass catamaran-style boat owned by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department and the cooperative use of the vessel by both departments was voted down 2 to 1 at Wednesday’s meeting.

Board chairman Bruce Carman voted in favor of the agreement while commissioners T.J. Lamont and Larry Morse voted against the proposal.

At the July 10 meeting, Koorn reported the Clallam County sheriff had the boat for sale at an asking price of $50,000 and the plan was for the fire district and the Island County Sheriff’s Office to each pay $25,000 to purchase the vessel.

“The Clallam County sheriff is also willing to lease the boat to us for $1,000 a month if there is a good possibility it would be bought,” Koorn said.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, any lease money paid until December would be deducted from the price should the fire district and the sheriff’s department decide to purchase the boat.

State statute dictates the sheriff’s office in any Washington county is to be the primary responder for water rescue.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Brown said his office is trying to reinstate the marine safety division that was disbanded some time ago and he is working on obtaining a $39,000 grant through Mark Kenney from the Washington State parks Department.

“This money is for water rescue and enforcement activities and is obtained from boat registration fees,” Brown said. “I haven’t submitted the application yet and I’m not sure whether I will get the full amount because the parks department’s budget is June to June.”

Brown said once the application is completed and submitted to the state park’s department and reviewed, it will be returned to him and he will approach the Island County commissioners with the plan.

“Realistically, I should know something by the end of next month,” he said.

Brown said he has also applied for a federal grant money in excess of $495,000.

“If that amount is obtained, I would like to use it to purchase a new boat to replace the Boston Whaler we have on Camano Island that is inoperative and to repair the Almar boat,” he said. “There is no guarantee I’ll be able to obtain the grant, there are a lot of applications.”

The Almar boat is moored at Cornet Bay and is also inoperative due to engine problems.