WELLS, Maine — The Wells Board of Selectmen is discussing whether to implement a 24-hour marine rescue policy after an accident in which a Wells police boat collided with a harbor master’s boat.
At approximately 4 p.m. Aug. 8, the Wells police boat crashed into the harbor master’s boat, causing the engine to burst into flames, according to an accident report filed by the Maine Marine Patrol.
According to the report, Officer Chad Arrowsmith was operating the police boat at the dock and lost control of the craft, which struck the engine on the harbor master’s boat. The $10,000 engine was a total loss. The report cites the primary cause of the accident as operator inexperience.
Wells Harbor Master Chris Mayo said the police boat has been removed from Wells harbor and is in storage. The engine on the harbor master’s boat was covered by the town’s insurance policy and has been replaced.
Police Chief Jo-Ann Putnam said she had no comment on the accident because she was not present at the time of the incident.
During a workshop held before the Wells Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday, Harbor Master Chris Mayo said the police boat was not equipped to handle marine rescues and said there is a warning label printed on the boat indicating the boat should not be used for offshore purposes.
“What it boils down to is, sadly, we had to have an accident happen to have this discussion started,” Mayo said.
According to the board, Wells does not have a marine rescue policy.
The board discussed purchasing inflatable boats in bags, which could be used in an emergency, but the idea was not pursued because the boats are not usable at night.
Selectman Richard Clark also did not like the idea of the inflatable boats in bags because of the time needed to get the boat to the harbor, inflate it and launch it.
“When someone tells me we’re going to have a boat in a bag, you might as well send in a search team because you’re going to be looking for a body,” Clark said.
“Before we have a policy, we have to determine what we’re going to do. What is the service we are trying to provide?” Clark asked.
Selectman Karl Ekstedt concurred.
“What rescues are we going to provide?” he asked. “Then how are we going to do it?”
Mayo told the board he provided a draft marine rescue policy as a guideline to start a discussion.
“What are our limitations?” Selectman Robert Foley asked.
“Unless it’s life-threatening, we’re not coming,” Foley said. “That’s not our job. We don’t run a towing service for cars that break down on Route 1.”
Ekstedt asked about the level of protection Wells would provide and what equipment and training would be necessary for the potential rescues.
Mayo said he has experience working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association on their rescue vessels and would recommend a 23- to 25-foot inflatable rigid hull as a rescue vehicle for the town.
“It would work in all conditions, both day and night,” Mayo said.
“There should be 24-hour coverage,” Ekstedt said.
Foley suggested data be examined from rescues attempted in Wells from the past five to seven years. Mayo said there were between 30-50 water rescues during the past year.
Ekstedt said a decision needed to be made that was in the best interest of the town.
“We’re in the beach service business,” Ekstedt said.
The Board of Selectmen asked public safety leaders and the harbor master to return to the board with a plan proposing the equipment and training needed for a 24-hour marine rescue policy.