Chuck Edwards
Washington – Search and rescue missions in Graham County will soon have a new resource to rely on.
Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) recently procured $80,000 in funding for a new police boat, which will be readily available to both Graham and Swain counties as needed. The boat will be stationed underneath a covered area, which will speed up the process of dispatching the craft in lieu of having to pull one from resting in the water.
In a March 14 press release that announced the funding had passed Congress and signed into law, Edwards points out the obvious flaw in the current model.
“As there is currently no vessel available to the Graham County Sheriff’s Office or Emergency Services in case of a water emergency, their only option is to hope another boat is available to borrow at the dock,” Edwards said. “This is a not sustainable solution.
“I appreciate the close collaboration with Graham County Sheriff Brad Hoxit and Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran to get this critical project across the finish line, and for all their tireless efforts to keep WNC communities safe.”
“I am grateful to have worked so closely with Congressman Edwards to get the funding to support the needs of our community,” Hoxit added.
The lack of accessibility to a water craft surfaced to the forefront during a Jan. 19, 2023 rescue mission on Lake Santeetlah. Personnel had to wait for a boat to arrive from Hendersonville to assist with locating a SUV that was submerged just off the shoreline, following an overnight accident.
A passenger in the vehicle perished in the wreck.
The money for the boat comes as part of an $18.7 million package, which Edwards advocated heavily for as North Carolina District 11’s representative at the national level.
“Throughout my district work periods, I have heard from law enforcement, first responders and community leaders all across our mountains about critical needs in our communities,” Edwards said in a March 8 release about the funding passing the House and Senate.
“I am happy that lawmakers in the House and Senate have recognized the merit in my requests to fund these community projects to help make life better for Western North Carolinians.”