County of Ulster, Kingston, New York
The Sheriff's Office
Navigation Unit
 |
Maintaining an ardent law enforcement presence on the waterways of Ulster County, the Navigation Unit of the Sheriff’s Office patrols the Hudson River from Catskill south to Newburgh. Members are kept busy with recreational boating traffic borne by the numerous marinas located along the river plus that from the two major navigable tributaries, the Rondout and the Esopus. Many waterway access areas available to the public, besides the municipal beaches, provide for an often crowded and active season. With an increased focus on educating the public in developing safe boating operation habits, unit members strive to achieve the safest Ulster County waterways possible.
The Sheriff’s Office vessels, two 22 foot walkaround cuddy cabin Chris Crafts, powered by 200 horsepower Mercury outboard motors, along with a major manufacturer loaner personal watercraft, are placed in the water at ice out. In service full time from Memorial Day until Labor Day, marine law enforcement trained Deputy Sheriff’s monitor the boating traffic and marinas on the Hudson River and are available for water emergencies 24 hours a day. Events such as BWI enforcement, performing vessel safety inspections, addressing navigation and environmental law violations, assisting boaters in distress and handling vessel accidents can comprise most of that day.
As an active participant in the Hudson River Marine Task Force, members of the Sheriff’s Office Navigation Unit share in its mission to enhance police and emergency response services to the public on the Hudson River Estuary through improved communication, coordination, training, planning, deployment, resource utilization, and stewardship in, for the long term protection of natural and human resources.
As a member of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation Navigation Law Enforcement Program, the Sheriff’s
Office receives a percentage reimbursement for unit funding from that agency.
Sheriff Mission Criminal Division Corrections Division Underwater Search and Rescue Unit K-9 Unit Navigation Unit Court and Department of Social Services Security Units Accident Reconstruction Training Unit Law Enforcement - Employment Opportunities Links for Public Safety