The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a specialized training exercise on Barnegat Bay to familiarize deputies with the agency’s newest search and rescue asset — a hovercraft designed to operate in areas inaccessible to traditional boats.

The new hovercraft significantly expands the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to respond to emergencies in shallow water, mudflats, marshes, and even on ice, making it a valuable resource for search and rescue operations throughout Ocean County’s waterways.

During the training, members of the Sheriff’s Office practiced operating the vessel and learned its unique handling characteristics and capabilities, helping ensure they are prepared to deploy it quickly and safely during real-world emergencies.

Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy said the department remains committed to investing in advanced equipment and ongoing training to strengthen public safety and enhance emergency response capabilities across the county’s waterways.