Hall County Sheriff Deploys $280,000 Patrol Boat on Lake Lanier Using Seized Criminal Funds

Key facts

• The Hall County Sheriff’s Office spent $280,000 in asset forfeiture funds seized from a local criminal enterprise.
• The vessel is a 29-foot cabin rigid inflatable boat purchased from Fluid Marine in North Carolina.
• It is powered by twin Mercury Marine 225 engines and equipped with Raymarine electronics and FLIR thermal imaging technology.
• Two deputies are currently assigned to the unit and have begun limited use of the boat.
• The Marine Patrol Unit works with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• The sheriff’s office also operates a 2016 Sea Chaser 24 HFC center console patrol boat as a backup.
• Peak holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July will see both boats deployed.
• Patrols are scheduled to continue through October.

New Vessel Strengthens Lake Lanier Patrols

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office has added a new patrol boat to its Lake Lanier Marine Patrol Unit, purchased with $280,000 in asset forfeiture funds seized from a local criminal enterprise. The 29-foot cabin rigid inflatable boat, acquired from Fluid Marine in North Carolina, arrived late in the summer of 2025 and has already begun limited operations with two assigned deputies. Capt. Michael Mount of the Uniform Patrol Division said the upgrade was driven by rising visitor traffic on the lake. “With the growth of visitor traffic on Lanier, we knew a few years ago we needed a boat with advanced navigation technology and communications gear so we could optimize our lake patrols,” Mount said.

Advanced Technology and All-Weather Capability

The new vessel is powered by twin Mercury Marine 225 engines and outfitted with Raymarine electronics and FLIR thermal imaging technology, enabling nighttime and low-visibility operations. The cabin is climate controlled, allowing deputies to work in all types of weather. “Not only is this boat equipped with better technology, the cabin is climate controlled, allowing our deputies to work in all types of weather,” Mount added. The boat will serve as the primary patrol vessel, while the sheriff’s office continues to operate a 2016 Sea Chaser 24 HFC center console patrol boat as a backup. During peak holiday weekends, including Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, both boats are expected to be deployed simultaneously.

Interagency Cooperation on Lake Lanier

The Marine Patrol Unit works alongside the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enforce boating regulations, provide security at lakefront parks, and assist with patrol operations. This interagency collaboration is critical for managing the growing number of visitors to Lake Lanier, one of the most popular recreational lakes in the southeastern United States. Patrols are scheduled to continue through October, covering the peak boating season. The new boat is expected to enhance the unit's ability to respond to incidents and enforce safety regulations.

Funding Source: Asset Forfeiture

The $280,000 purchase was funded entirely through asset forfeiture proceeds seized from a local criminal enterprise. Asset forfeiture allows law enforcement to confiscate property and money derived from illegal activities, with the proceeds often reinvested into policing. The use of such funds for equipment purchases is a common practice among sheriff's offices in Georgia. The decision to allocate seized funds to the Marine Patrol Unit reflects the priority placed on lake safety amid increasing recreational use. The sheriff’s office did not disclose the specific criminal case from which the funds were seized.

Preparations for the 2026 Summer Season

The new boat was acquired ahead of the 2026 summer boating season, indicating a forward-looking approach to patrol capacity. With limited operations already underway, the unit is expected to fully integrate the vessel by next summer. The sheriff’s office has not announced plans for additional vessels or personnel. Lake Lanier, a reservoir on the Chattahoochee River, attracts millions of visitors annually for boating, fishing, and water sports. The increase in visitor traffic has prompted law enforcement to invest in more capable patrol assets.

Outlook for Lake Lanier Safety

The deployment of the new patrol boat is part of a broader effort to improve safety on Lake Lanier, which has seen a rise in boating accidents and fatalities in recent years. The thermal imaging and advanced electronics will aid in search-and-rescue operations and nighttime enforcement. As the 2026 season approaches, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office is positioning itself to meet the demands of a growing recreational community. The backup vessel ensures continuity of operations during high-traffic periods, and the interagency framework provides a robust response network.

The bottom line

• Hall County used $280,000 in seized criminal funds to buy a 29-foot patrol boat for Lake Lanier.
• The boat features twin Mercury Marine 225 engines, Raymarine electronics, and FLIR thermal imaging.
• Two deputies are already using the boat, which arrived in late summer 2025.
• The Marine Patrol Unit collaborates with state and federal agencies for lake enforcement.
• Peak holiday weekends will see both the new boat and a 2016 backup vessel deployed.
• Patrols continue through October, with full operations expected for the 2026 summer season.