Waterway Safety Unit

The Atlantic Beach Waterway Safety Unit is responsible the enforcement of NC General Statutes and town ordinances in the canals and adjacent waters of Atlantic Beach. We have two vessels one shallow draft 24 foot skiff and a 32 foot ridged hull inflatable. Our large vessel and specialized equipment was purchased through a grant provided by the Department of Homeland Security. Our WSU maintains town owned navigational aids and surveys the waterways for dangerous shoaling. We provide waterway information to the towns “Dredging Committee” and assist with dredging operations monitoring. We provide mutual aid assistance to the U.S. Coast Guard with search and rescue and other law enforcement agencies with vessel assets for special law enforcement needs.  Our WSU can deploy side scan sonar, one of only two such units in eastern North Carolina. With this equipment we assist the NC state ports police as well as other law enforcement agencies in Carteret County and Eastern North Carolina with Homeland Security issues. This tool is also used to search for bodies, vehicles and property. The WSU conducts safety inspections and assists boaters they encounter while on patrol. Our highly trained WSU Officers are part of our part time officer cadre which is made up of seasoned retired law enforcement officers with an extensive backgrounds with marine operations. Utilizing part time officers during peak season is a cost effective measure for meeting the demands for the town's heavily populated boating community.

If you have any questions please contact Maj. Jeff Harvey at 252-726-2523

The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard ask you to take part in “America’s Waterway Watch”. Help keep America’s Waterways Safe and Secure. Learn more at:  www.AmericasWaterwayWatch.com