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Our Mission: Is to help guard aginst terrorism and to assist in safeguarding our national water ways for Homeland Security
and aid in public safety on and around our waterways anywhere, anytime we are needed, Also to protect life and property whenever possible.
Note:
All U.S.Water Patrol Equipment: Boats,Trucks,Generators, ETC. are made available to other Organizations, and Agencies
as needed upon request.
* * *
Often,
the U.S. Water Patrol Officer is the first responder to the scene of emergency situations such as boat accidents and
drowning's. After assessing the situation and alerting other officers &/or agencies, the USWPO continues to assist
investigating officers and rescue personnel.
The United States Water Patrol was conceived in the late summer of 1999 on the Ohio River in Louisville, KY.
It was just a father and son and 1 14' boat wanting to assist other boaters on the Ohio River and local Lakes near Louisville,
KY. At that time we were limited to towing short distance only, providing gas and limited assistance. Also at
that time we where just assisting other boaters as non uniformed good Samaritans.
On May
4, 2001: We were officially chartered as a uniformed all volunteer Public Safety Organization to
assist boaters on all waterways in Kentucky.
On June
11, 2005 We received our 501c3 status as a non profit Volunteer Homeland Security & Public Safety Organization
from the IRS.
On
Sept. 11, 2001: The U.S. Water Patrol changed from it's Primary mission of Public Safety to Homeland Security
being our primary mission and Public Safety became our secondary mission. Assisting in the security of our nation is our main
concern.
Also On September 11, 2001 the U.S. Water
Patrol's Name and Logo was registered as a Homeland Security Organization with the Commonwealth of Kentucky and granted
a Certificate of Registration
In August of 2002 The
United States Water Patrol was registered as a Homeland Security & Public Safety Organization with the Commonwealth of
Kentucky
Today: The U.S. Water Patrol is located in 9 States and has in its fleet 18 boats. We assist boaters and the
public on and off the water by responding to distress calls and / or safety & education. The
U.S. Water Patrol operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. Without any Federal or State Grants or Funding.
We also sponsor the BSA Sea Scouts.
Homeland Security: We are the eyes and ears and a part of the front
line of defense for our nation's Homeland Security by providing support, manpower and equipment as needed.
We patrol on land as well as water monitoring activities on and around the water ways. This includes Dams & Locks,
Power Stations, bridges, Shipping, Airports, Military insulations and public water supplies. We are also able to assist
in any type of National, State or Local Disaster.
Safety Patrols: We aid and assist the public on and along the
waterways and respond to and/or assist in water related distress calls such as Disabled boats, Accidents, Medical Transpirations.
Escorts, Search and Rescue marking reporting and removing water hazards, monitoring unsafe
Water conditions Diver Support.
Security: Patrolling and monitoring activities on and
around, Marinas, Docks and Slips, Launching Ramps, Water front parks, vehicles parked around these
sites, Boats & Ships at anchor, Tow boats & Barges, Factories and business, Rail Road Tracks and
Bridges, Power lines, Power Plants, Dams & Locks, Bridges along the highways over water, dock
areas, Ports, Water Intakes, and Reservoirs. We monitor and report unsafe boating, vandalism, theft, pollution, illegal
dumping.
Public Service: we provided a variety of information to the
boating public on safe boating & River & Water information, Safety and life saving equipment. Boating
and safety class. Charts, Maps.
Assistance: Search and Rescue, Body search Boat fires, First Aid, Emergency message delivery, Towing, Gas,
Boat recovery, Navigation, Launching and Docking assistance, Extracting boats. Diver Support, Escort, Security
checks.
When needed we can also deliver medical supplies and staples
to Towboats and other vessels while underway to their destinations including transporting sick and injured crewmen
from the vessel to land, We also brake ice and clear channels to aid local fishermen and boaters Also when
able we also provide boats to stand by and assist with the following: Fishing Tournaments, Scout Outings, regattas, Sport/Recovery
Diving, & other water events.
The United States Water Patrol's
Members do this solely for the satisfaction of making our Country and waterways safer and more enjoyable for all who
use the nation’s Waterways.
NOTE: On September 11, 2001 within less than 1 hour
after the 2nd attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, At 0959 EST. The U.S. Water Patrol had
1 boat on patrol guarding against possible terrorist attacks on targets that were on and along our waterways
in Louisville, KY.
Why Do we do what we do, When the U.S. Water Patrol started out and during a meeting with
the following: USCG, USCG Aux, Kentucky State Police, Indiana State Police, Metro Louisville Police, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, among others in the
meeting we were asked by the USCG " Why reinvent the wheel when you can join us and the Auxiliary
" Our answer to that was " We are not reinventing the wheel we are adding a spoke to the wheel thus making
it stronger and better" By adding more people and boats and training we can make it safer and better on the water
for everyone. We feel that everyone working together can make it better.
ANWSERS:
Homeland Security Homeland Security is every American's duty to help guard and protect the United States from harm.
We also feel that there is a need for organized and trained people who know what and where to look for possible problems and
how to respond to them. Also, we do this because we want to give something of ourselves to our country and other people;
and also make it a little safer and better for us all.
Public Safety
If you are a boater this will not be a surprise to you. There is a great need for assistance on the water. There are a lot
of things that can go wrong while out on or around the water. There are limited resources for you to call upon. We help by
providing assistance to the public. Have you ever ran out of gas or needed a tow. Most boaters will come to another boater’s
aid, but by not knowing what to do can sometimes cause more problems. Also most boaters do not always know what
to look for in spotting others in need. If you call for help you could be charged a large amount for assistance or a tow. I don't think you will find very many people out on the water
whose only purpose is to assist the public in Safety and Security just for the joy of doing it.
.
Since 2001, The U.S. Water Patrol has responded to and / or assisted in:
117
Sinking boats
142 Disabled boats
88 Grounded boats
8 Stolen boats
74 Boats out of gas
33 Medical emergencies
7 Land rescues
21 Search & rescues
77 Body searches
86 Homeland Security issues
474 Security issues
2,225 Safety
issues
3,550 Water Hazards
81
Illegal dumpings 3
cars found & 1 retrieved from river 4 Boat fires
9
Transports to shore
103 Responses to weather related emergencies
on land
32 Other Public Assist requests
In addiction to the above the USWP has patrolled over 69,800 miles on the water and 102,500 miles on
land. And over 102,448 man hours. We have handed out 250 PFD's- 430 gallons gas - over 2,200 safe boating
booklets, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and Nav Charts, Light bulbs, Fuses, Rope, whistles, flares and pumps.
We have done over 21,250 Homeland Security patrols as well as Security patrols for the public and Business's
on and along the waterways. We have received over 1560 phone calls for information on safety and other issues. ( Last updated 07-26-20010
.
If you would like to be a part of the
United States Water Patrol, or just want some information on the organization, we would like to hear from you. Please fill
out the online form at the bottom of the page
Minimum Requirements: Minimum Age USWPO: 18
Must be a United States Citizen. - Valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License required
if transporting boat.
- Submission to and clearance of a thorough background check.
- Willing to certify or Current CPR / AED certification issued through the American Red Cross or the American
Heart Association.
- Must be available for all interviews and training required.
- Ability to work alone if need be, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, and including holidays, nights,
and evenings.
One component of the USWPO is the completion of required administrative
duties (such as activity reports, writing case information, filling out time sheets, and boat usage records). This type
of activity is usually done at the water patrol station; in some areas such as states with a single office, that station may
be on the water's edge; in others such as the border rivers, it may be where the patrol boats are stored.
Notice: Due to the nature of our mission in Homeland Security everyone must go thru a security
check. We will need a Background check ) You can obtain this from your local police department. This along with other
information will determine your security rating. We will also need a photo for your ID. Having a record will not exclude
you from membership. It may however restrict you from some missions.
Member of the: International Water Patrol Association (IWPA)
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