Local marine patrol receives FLIR grant

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol is expanding its search-and-rescue capabilities thanks to an Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation waterways improvement fund grant.

The county applied for a $21,775 grant in January to install forward-looking infrared cameras on two of its patrol vessels.

County commissioners received word on Tuesday that the grant was approved by the state. The county put up $17,780 in matching funds.

“They’re gyro stabilized so they’re not affected by the motion of the boat regardless of how severe the weather is. They look for heat sources — so that will allow us to go out there and look for people, boats anything that throws off a heat signature,” said Deputy Doug McGeachy.

The local match was derived from funds the county collects from boat registrations.