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New police boat docked in Bronte Harbour Continued from page 1 3 · Thursday, April 29, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Design and Printing services generously donated by Ideal Graphics Inc. two Boston Whalers (one 17-footer and one 26-footer) stating increased water traffic makes a greater Halton police presence on Lake Ontario a necessity. The new boat and a new Halton police marine office will be headquartered in Bronte as opposed to the Hamilton Harbour, where Halton police vessels have previously been headquartered. This will allow for a faster response to Halton emergencies, said Crowell. "In the event of an emergency it can be a long trip across Lake Ontario from Hamilton to respond to a vehicle in distress of which there were 77 last year in Halton alone," said Crowell. "Those valuable minutes can make the difference in lifesaving." In addition to its search and rescue equipment, Marine 1 is equipped with a fridge and microwave, which are intended to allow the Marine Unit to stay out on the water longer during an extended search. Marine Unit Constable Scott Oldfield said Marine 1 could remain on the open water for approximately 12 hours before having to return to shore to pick up a new shift of officers. Oldfield said Marine 1 is equipped for towing and has the horsepower to tow a boat that is up to approximately 65-feet in length. Marine 1 will be able to function on Lake Ontario from spring until late November or early December, depending on ice conditions. Marine Unit Constable Simon Langler spoke about some of the features that set Marine 1 apart from the Halton Regional Police Service's existing boats. "This one will give us the ability to cover as many tasks as possible. We can work in bad weather, whereas our other vessels have open tops, so we have to dress accordingly and that cuts down on our response time and our ability to work for long periods of time in bad weather. We have air conditioning and heating in here. This is an enclosed boat," said Langler. "We have a better electronics package and that's going to increase our ability to search for people and we can also use this boat as a mobile command station, perish the thought something big should happen out on the water, but if it did we've got enough space so we can rescue more peo- "We have a better electronics package and that's going to increase our ability to search for people and we can also use this boat as a mobile command station." Constable Simon Langler, Marine Unit GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER CEREMONIAL LAUNCH: Halton Regional Police Chief Gary Crowell and Halton Regional Police Services Board Chair Robert Maich officially launched the service's new 39-foot Marine 1 at Bronte Outer Harbour Monday afternoon by christening the boat's bow with non-alcoholic cider. ple and if necessary carry more people out to actually assist boaters." Langler acknowledges there are boats that can go faster than Marine 1, but he says with all Marine 1's electronic equipment, such a boat can be tracked until faster police boats can catch it or until the boat runs out of gas or P L E A S E returns to land. With the launch ceremony complete, naval tradition was observed with a prayer for the crew's safety and with Crowell and T H E 2 0 1 0 B A N K B E D Halton Police Service Board Chair Robert Maich pouring a bottle of non-alcoholic cider over the bow of the boat. "We have opted to use the cider instead of champagne to remind the boating public that the message don't drink and drive applies equally to all motorized vehicles whether on land or the sea," said Crowell. Halton police are also reminding boaters to: · Always have enough life jackets and personal floatation devices for each person on board. · Be weather wise and check the weather before heading out. · Tell someone where you are going and have proof of competency with you. · Follow navigation and other rules of the water. W I T H A D O N A T I O N T O D A Y ! S U P P O R T C H A L L E N G E BANK BED CHALLENGE CH From April 1 to May 2, 2010 six banks will work together to raise funds for new patient si care beds for the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Ask your branch how you can help! Come out and join us Sunday May 2 at 9:00 a.m. to cheer your bank to victory. Enjoy a fun filled morning with entertainment, activities and refreshments. www.bankbedchallenge.com CHARITABLE #13145-3490-RR0001