COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Sheriff’s Department Marine Patrol is adding a number of officers as the boating season will start to get busy later this month.
Sergeant Josh Vickers is the new head of the Marine Patrol, replacing Sergeant Rick Holtgrave who retired in March. Vickers has been on the Patrol for five years and previously was an officer with the Bronson Police Department. He says they expect the larger patrol presence on the lakes in Branch County will allow boaters and swimmers to have more safety and fun in the water.
Vickers says they began 2017 with 6 officers and enlarged the staff by 4 with the new hires in training this week in Ottawa County at the Marine Patrol Academy, where the graduation is set for Friday.
Vickers says the Sheriff’s Department Boater Safety classes begin May 20 when the Coldwater Lake Association starts its classes at the Association building on Warren Road. The first classes in the county are happening next weekend May 13th at Sunset Cove hosted by the Marble Chain of Lakes Improvement Association. You have to be at least 12 years old to register for the classes.
