Sheriff Bill Leeper announced the addition of two new patrol boats to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, strengthening the agency’s ability to protect and patrol Nassau County waterways.
The new 35-foot Silver Ships Ambar 950 and 31-foot Ambar 800 are equipped with advanced technology and enhanced capabilities designed to help deputies respond to emergencies faster and operate more efficiently on the water.
Those capabilities were put to the test on May 2, when Marine Unit detectives rescued two boaters from a sinking vessel near Fort Clinch during rough weather conditions and low visibility. Within 15 minutes of overhearing the Mayday call, our first unit arrived on scene and located the heavily damaged vessel with nearly three feet of water in the engine room.
“These boats allowed us to get on scene faster, and their design made it possible for us to safely pull alongside the sinking vessel and quickly get the passengers to safety,” said Marine Unit Detective Ken Clements. “They’re essentially floating toolboxes filled with equipment that helps us do our job more effectively.”
“With the vast miles of waterways throughout Nassau County and the increasing number of residents and visitors enjoying them, it’s critical that we have the resources necessary to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper. “These new vessels significantly enhance our Marine Unit’s capabilities and response efforts.”
The vessels were obtained through the Port Security Grant Program and delivered to NCSO in December 2025. After being fully outfitted with patrol equipment, both boats are now officially in service.
