Water search and rescue has become an expensive proposition for the North Whidbey Fire and Rescue District.

As a result, fire district Chairman Bruce Carman, along with commissioners T.J. Lamont and Larry Morse, drafted a letter to Island County Sheriff Mark Brown addressing the situation.

The letter points out that under state law, “The chief law enforcement officer of each political subdivision shall be responsible for local search and rescue activities.”

The letter continues, “As the responsible agency, we feel the sheriff’s office should be funded sufficiently to take the lead role in water rescue programs in Island County. North Whidbey Fire and Rescue is more than willing to assist you in support of your mission . . . but we should not be the lead agency.”

“The idea is to support the sheriff’s office and for us to provide mutual aid,” Carman said.

The fire district has been looking to purchase a new rescue boat in recent months, but to date hasn’t found a deal to its liking.

Carman was quick to point out the letter is not a criticism of the sheriff’s office.

“Perhaps this letter will make the Island County commissioners aware of the situation as it is and prompt them to provide the sheriff with adequate funding,” he said.

As for the sheriff, the problem facing Brown is that both of his department’s water rescue boats are inoperable.

Brown said he realizes the sheriff’s office is ultimately responsible for search and rescue, but he is facing money problems as well.

“Right now, I’m working on a grant through the Justice Information System, which is part of the Federal Grant Program, to see if we can obtain some funding to purchase a new boat and get the one we have repaired,” he said. “What I would like to do is purchase a new boat for Camano and repair the Almar boat we have over here.”

Brown said he has been quoted a price of approximately $35,000 to get the Almar boat back in working order.

“The Almar boat has a good aluminum hull, but it needs engine repair,” he said.

One of the problems encountered with rescue boats is they are not used for lengthy periods of time.

“If a boat sits around too long and is not in use, it will develop engine problems,” Brown said. “What I would ultimately like to do is work out a joint-use agreement between us and several area fire departments.”

Brown said the reason he is trying to obtain a grant is because he is going to have to ask the county commissioners for additional funding for manpower.

“I’m going to need more deputies, both on the road and if I’m going to have a marine safety unit,” he said. “It could be a problematic situation if I went to the commissioners and asked for a large amount of money for manpower and additional funding for boats. Doing something like that may overburden our funding.”