VIENNA — Maries County Sheriff Mark Morgan is taking a proactive approach to public safety with the addition of a new response boat for the water corridors of Maries County. Waterways, which flow through a large portion of the county, see heavy recreational use during the summer months, playing host to fishing boats, floaters and high-speed vessels alike. With multiple public access points and numerous private entry locations, rivers can become crowded quickly, creating situations that require swift and specialized emergency response.

“As sheriff, it became clear that we had a gap in our emergency response capabilities,” Morgan said. “While deputies could respond to the riverbank, we did not have the ability to quickly and directly reach individuals in distress on the water.”

Morgan added that the decision to purchase the vessel was “driven entirely by public safety” to ensure timely response to accidents, medical emergencies, missing persons or criminal activity.

The funding for the project came through the 2025 Missouri Blue Shield Grant, administered by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Morgan said the importance of the grant is in enhancing safety without burdening local taxpayers.

“No local tax dollars were used for this purchase,” Morgan said. “The grant allowed us to significantly enhance our emergency response capability without placing any additional financial burden on county residents.”

The boat, a a 2026 18’ Blazer with a 2026 Mercury outboard motor, is designed specifically for shallow-water river operations, addressing one of the biggest challenges deputies faced.

“The Gasconade River contains numerous shallow and gravel-bottom sections, making a traditional prop-driven boat impractical,” Morgan explained. “This vessel utilizes jet-drive propulsion, allowing safe navigation in shallow areas.”

Equipped with emergency lighting, a public address system, siren capability and interoperable radios for communication with Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the boat also features a mobile radio repeater system.

“The repeater is especially important,” Morgan said. “It allows deputies operating on foot along the riverbank or in remote areas to transmit and receive, through the more powerful radio mounted on the boat. Clear communication between deputies, dispatch, fire and EMS is critical during emergency situations.”

Morgan also said that the boat is not just a patrol tool but a comprehensive response platform.

“It improves coordination and officer safety while supporting EMS and fire operations,” he said. Morgan said that having direct access to the river can make a tangible difference during emergencies.

Over the past year, deputies have responded to multiple river-related incidents, including stranded boaters, medical emergencies and reports of reckless operation. Morgan said in several cases, limited public access points or coordination through private property increased response times.

“In emergency situations, particularly medical calls, time matters,” Morgan said. “Having this boat reduces those response times and allows deputies to reach individuals directly rather than indirectly.”

Another key feature that enhances emergency response is the use of river mile markers. The mile markers provide standardized reference points that allow dispatch and responding agencies to pinpoint locations on the water.

“When callers can reference a mile marker, it greatly improves coordination and speeds up deployment,” Morgan said. “The boat will now allow us to respond directly to those locations with precision.”

Morgan hopes the new vessel will give deputies the equipment they need to provide faster, safer and more effective service to Maries County residents. The boat now resides in Maries County and is in full operation.

“Our ultimate goal is simple,” Morgan said. “We want to ensure deputies have the tools needed to respond quickly and safely wherever emergencies occur within Maries County, including on the water.”