Gov. Beshear: Kentucky State Police Bolster Water Rescue Capabilities with New, State-of-the-Art Patrol Boat
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 27, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Kentucky State Police (KSP) has obtained a new state-of-the-art patrol boat, allowing the agency to better respond to emergencies and natural disasters on Kentucky’s waterways.
The agency recently purchased a 23-foot patrol boat, the Metal Shark 23 Relentless, which is specifically designed for first responders and allows for exceptional maneuverability across all types of waterways. The boat was purchased with grant funding from the FEMA Port Security Program and will allow the agency to respond quickly to water-based critical incidents and perform operations on land, on water and in the air.
“The Kentucky State Police continues to raise the bar in its ability to protect our neighbors,” Gov. Beshear said. “This new equipment allows the agency to further expand its reach, helping ensure that Kentuckians and visitors are safe no matter the challenge. From lake recreation to flooding and weather events, this patrol boat will better prepare us to respond and protect more lives.”
The Metal Shark 23 Relentless watercraft is a fully equipped law enforcement vehicle, built to withstand extreme weather conditions with the same tools found in a state police cruiser, including radio, lights and a mobile data terminal, while also utilizing a FLIR Thermal camera and side-scan sonar camera for search operations. The boat can be deployed during any major critical incident involving water when assistance from the KSP Special Operations Branch is requested, including the Special Response Team and the Aircraft Division. Examples of such instances consist of severe weather situations, water-based search and rescue and recovery missions, and support for safety during large public events like Thunder Over Louisville.
Members of the Special Response Team have completed specialized training to safely maneuver the vessel and conduct hoist operations involving both the aircraft and boat.
“Our mission is to do everything we can to keep Kentuckians safe,” Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. said. “This boat will help our troopers during water rescue situations, explosive dive missions and maritime high-risk operations involving dangerous individuals.”
“Kentucky has more than 1,600 miles of navigable waterways, including seven major rivers, three natural lakes, and more than 100 man-made lakes,” KSP Special Response Team Captain Dallas Greer said. “The Metal Shark will allow KSP personnel to more effectively respond to tactical or critical threats whenever and wherever they occur on Kentucky water.”
KSP’s mission to protect and serve while ensuring troopers are equipped with critical equipment to meet today’s evolving public safety challenges. In addition to the Metal Shark 23 Relentless watercraft, the agency recently purchased a Rook armored vehicle, a versatile tactical vehicle designed to protect officers in complex law enforcement operations, including hostage situations, barricaded subjects, riot response and natural disaster scenarios. KSP’s fleet also includes an armored 2021 Chevrolet Suburban High Country, which was used to rescue local law enforcement officers and a civilian who were under fire in Adair County in April.
The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The Governor’s public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky.
The 2025 Crime in Kentucky report, released in June, shows that, from 2024 to 2025, reports of serious crime decreased by 8.14%.
For four straight years, overdose deaths have decreased in Kentucky. In 2025, the commonwealth saw 22.9% fewer overdose deaths than the year prior.
Since Gov. Beshear took office, fewer Kentuckians have returned to prison after their release. For two years in a row, recidivism rates in the commonwealth have decreased, meaning that nearly 70% of those released from state custody have not returned.
For more information about the work the Beshear-Coleman administration has done since taking office to build a safer New Kentucky Home, click here.
# # #
Editor’s Note: Click here to see video of KSP’s Metal Shark 23 Relentless boat
