FWC shows off newly renovated "Gulf Sentry"

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Friday hosted an open house at the Carrabelle City Marina for guests to see the newly renovated Gulf Sentry.

The 85-foot, aluminum vessel was ceremonially christened on August 17th in Dania Beach and recently arrived in Carrabelle for duty.

The vessel and its captain, Lt. Scott Pearce, will patrol the waters of the Gulf of Mexico between St. Marks and Pensacola, out to 200 miles offshore, focusing on resource protection, public safety and boating-regulation enforcement.

Members of the Franklin County community attended the open house, as did  numerous law enforcement officials, including retired captains Early Whaley and Richard Miller, who captained the vessel before its renovations.

After a brief ceremony, guests received a tour of the vessel and were taken for a ride.

The Gulf Sentry was originally manufactured in 1968 for the U.S. Air Force and was used as a missile-retriever until 1994. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration used it next and eventually loaned the vessel to the FWC, which performed federal fisheries enforcement and search-and-rescue missions with it for the next 14 years.

After many years of service as the JJ Brown, the vessel needed extensive repairs to remain operational. 

In 2008, the vessel was fully transferred to the FWC, and Joint Enforcement Agreement funding was acquired for a major overhaul.  

The restoration project included a new bottom, engines, electrical and plumbing work, berthing area, galley and improved pilot house. 

There are also numerous “green” features incorporated into the new design including engines that meet tier-two emission regulations and air-driven hydraulic systems which prevent potential loss of oils.

Recycled materials were used in construction of cabin interiors; a fuel-fill system was designed to eliminate fuel spills during fill-ups; and the shaft angles, rudders and bottom were redesigned to increase efficiency. 

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