Help would be greatly appreciated!

I belong to a Volunteer FD that has the responsibility of doing lake rescues.

We have an older boat that was donated ( for which we are very grateful) but we could really use an upgrade.

We primarily do lake rescues and tows ( as opposed to fire suppression) so we really don’t need a pumper boat, but we have the primary duty of handling any rescue situation on the lake.

We currently lack any sonar or scanning electronics as well.

Any suggestions as to size and type of boat to look at as well as type/brand of down scan and side scan to look for. We could use a unit that would allow importing GPS coordinators to help locate boats quickly would help.

We will likely have to buy used due to our limited budget but would appreciate any suggestions.

We currently are discussing a center console. We have a minimum crew of 2 and maximum of four.

20-22' center console with lower sides for water rescue.


have you checked to see if there are any govt. grants for vfds?

Haven’t heard of any but we’ll look. There is some for repairs due to the freeze

Hard to beat a RHIB , your budget may not allow it.
whaler type boats but not cheap either
Carolina Skiff reasonable but not ideal

I had to look up what RHIB meant but rigid hull inflatable boat is exactly what I was thinking as well. I bet one or two of those who make them might be able to help with how to fund them through grants as well.

This is what they use at that violent Haulover inlet in Florida.
Don’t know if y’all’s budget makes these an option.



This might be a more cost effective very good option. The video is really good, detailing the specs and many of the modifications done.

https://youtu.be/CInb38tRg6s

Click on link above (as you can see below, embedding the video was disabled by the video producer.)

That sea tow boat would be just about ideal. Just need some seating if we had to take aboard 5-6 people from a disabled or capsized boat

what lake is this for?

All valid points being offered.
However, the only boat that will rescue everyone anywhere is a big block airboat.

The Lake is Richland Chambers
Most of the Rescues are open water tows and boats that have run aground or been disabled running into trees rocks or out of gas. We also are first responders as to medical emergencies but are not paramedics so all our actions are generally considered Good Samaritan acts. If and when we have drownings or missing persons on the water we do the best we can without having divers or sonar.