Missoin: Our mission is to educate the public about boating safety, thru the use of classes, seminars, community meetings, boat inspections and by enforcing the laws relevant to boating. We will patrol the waters of Mason County to assist the public in keeping with our overall Department Mission.

Mason County is a haven for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. With over 700 total miles of freshwater and saltwater shoreline, this area is a prime venue for watersports recreation. The Marine Enforcement Unit (MEU) is tasked with the safety and security of our various waterways.

From the inlets of South Puget Sound, the vast fjord of the Lower Hood Canal and a multitude of navigable lakes, our deputies provide recreational boater safety emphasis patrols, rescue operations, and safety inspections on our waterways. As a participant in the National Operation Dry Water Campaign, our deputies conduct boating under the influence patrols during the height of the recreational boating season.

In addition to enforcement, we also provide educational outreach programs for a variety of ages. From safety presentations at local elementary schools, mandatory Boater’s Education classes, participation in paddle sports events and targeted education through use of social media, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office Marine Enforcement Unit uses preventative education efforts to make our waterways safer.

The Marine Enforcement Unit consists of 1 Sergeant and 6 Deputies on a part-time basis. This duty is an ancillary assignment to regular patrol duties, mostly conducted on an overtime basis. We operate 3 vessels to cover the various waterways of Mason County.

The MCSV Petraitis is the cornerstone of our fleet. Moored year round on Hood Canal, this vessel is a 25-foot Defender Class RBS, obtained as surplus from the US Coast Guard. The MCSV Perseverance stands ready to respond to calls for service on the Puget Sound. The Perseverance is a 19-foot center console Almar patrol boat. The sister vessel, the MCSV Sawamish, is our ready boat capable of responding to any of our navigable lakes.

The MEU relies on an allotment from state Vessel Registration Fees and Federal Recreational Boater Safety Grants to fund the operational and administrative costs associated with this program, to include subsidizing salaries and benefits for Marine Enforcement efforts.

• Remember the children under the age of 12 are required to wear a life jacket while on a boat.
• Operator’s age for personal watercraft is a minimum age of 14 years old.
• Boat Inspections are voluntary at the ramps, but are non voluntary while on the water.

Boating Safety Education

Classes are sponsored and offered by MCSO for the Boating Safety Education Course. This class will be needed to operate a boat on the waters in the State of Washington. ** Class Information Coming Soon !!

Donations

We gladly will accept donations to help support the Boating Program. Make you checks payable to MCSO, in the “MEMO” Line please Write Marine Patrol. Check’s can be dropped off at Mason County Sheriff’s Office in Shelton or Belfair.

Any questions or comments please call or email Sgt. Severance at 360.427.9670 or tseverance@masoncountywa.gov