+1 Texas DPS Gunboat
Late last month the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) took delivery of the first of six patrol gunboats that will be used by Highway Patrol officers and others to secure Falcon Lake. For those who don’t recognize the name, the body of water straddles the U.S./Mexican border and was the site of a recent cartel gunbattle in which thirteen were killed and the earlier death of a U.S. national who was reportedly gunned downed as he fled from a cartel boat on his jetski. Texas is taking the threat of similiar incidents seriously and has ordered what can only be described as a fleet of gunboats to deal with it. At 36 feet with a fully armored hull & windows the boat is the most well armed state/local domestic law enforcement craft we at MARSEC4 have ever seen, with three mounted M240B 7.62x51mm light machine guns – two of which are doubled up on a single mount – two Barrett .50 BMG rifles stowed on board, and individually issued 5.56mm carbines, 9mm submachine guns, and handguns. Dubbed the “Shallow Water Interceptor”, each is powered by triple 300 horsepower outboards and costs $580,000. Anything other agencies have floating out there is going to be put to shame by this beauty.
Category: Armory, Featured, Guns, Kit Up, LE Gear, LEO Specific, Respond, Threats
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and how much did the CG spend on Aluminum Response Boats with NO Armor, NO Armor shield on the M240B mount and Boat Crews with only Level IIIA vests? Also, with HQ standing down some MSST units, did everyone forget the Terrorist’s weapon of choice, 7.62 X 39mm AK and RPG’s?
“two Barrett .50 BMG rifles stowed on board”
So saw this beast up close at the Houston boat show. The boat had mounts for 6 M-240b. Two twin mounts on the quarters and two singles on the bow. Texas opted not to buy and mount a dillion minigun due to the cost of ammo. According to the Trooper I talked to. He also claimed the boat could go anywhere a 24′ SPC-SW could go. The Yellowfin rep on the other side of the show claimed the same shallow water preformance.
What impressed me the most was who was offering to train them up. A SWCC unit in Mississippi. This was from the trooper’s mouth and then he handed me a recruiting poster and just grinned. All I could do was shake my head snap a few photos and walk away!
Way to go Texas!
And what if they shoot the engines?
I would say that would be a bad move as Who ever shoots at a DPS officer is prone to KILLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER!!
Years ago, my family would drive to Zapata from Corpus Christi every week end to fish in Falcon Lake. Those are great memories.
Many years ago, my family would drive to Zapata from Corpus Christi every week end to fish in Falcon Lake. During those times (1950-1960), there were no such threats. It is a shame that threats exists now and my applause goes to DPS.
Sad to know we need this but so proud that the State of Texas realizes the threat is serious. Wish our President was smart enough to understand.