SPOKANE COUNTY- SPOKANE COUNTY — When something goes wrong on the waterways of Spokane County, the Sheriff’s Marine Enforcement team is there to help in various ways.
“We’re just trying to keep the waterways safe, whether it’s on local lakes or the Spokane River,” said Deputy Jim Ebel, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Marine Enforcement coordinator.
Deputy Ebel is responsible for tasks such as reminding swimmers to wear life jackets and slowing down boaters. He is also one of the first responders at scenes of tragedies. “Whether it’s a boating accident or, in the case of a drowning, our dive unit will respond,” Ebel said.
He was one of the responders to the drowning of a 13-year-old girl in Clear Lake on July 27.
Ebel also helped evacuate people from their lakefront homes during the Gray Road wildfire in 2023.
“They sent me to Medical Lake to get on the water and evacuate as many people as possible. Nobody wanted to leave. They didn’t believe me at first. I tried to warn them, and 40 minutes later, their houses were gone,” Ebel recalled.
Deputy Ebel has been the Marine Enforcement coordinator for nine years and worked with the SCSO for several years before assuming this position. Summer is the Marine Enforcement team’s busiest time of year, with accidents occurring roughly once or twice a week.
“The main issue I’m seeing right now is on the Spokane River. People are swimming in 100-degree weather but don’t realize that the river is extremely cold, fed by springs,” Ebel noted.
He emphasized that anyone out on a natural waterway needs to be aware of their limits. “If you’re not sure of your limits, wear a life jacket,” Ebel advised.
The Marine Enforcement team will host a boater safety class at the SCSO Training Center on August 27 at 9 a.m.
