Port St. Lucie Police enhance safety with a new dive team for underwater search and recovery, supporting the city’s growth and safety needs.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL — The Port St. Lucie Police Department has officially launched a new four-member dive team, marking a significant expansion of the department’s public safety capabilities as the city continues to experience growth.
The specialized underwater unit will conduct critical operations throughout Port St. Lucie’s waterways and surrounding areas, including search and recovery missions, evidence collection, vehicle recovery, and sunken vessel operations.
Public Demonstration Showcases New Capabilities
The department held a public demonstration of the dive team’s capabilities on Friday, September 6th, at 10:30 AM at the Treasure Coast Public Safety Complex, located at 4600 Kirby Loop Road in Fort Pierce. The demonstration took place at a training lake featuring a simulated aircraft crash scenario used for emergency response training.
Mobile Command Center and Equipment
The dive team operates from a specially converted response vehicle—a former ambulance donated by the St. Lucie County Fire District that has been retrofitted as a mobile dive operations center. The unit features a comprehensive array of specialized equipment designed to handle various underwater scenarios:
- Standard wet suits for routine operations
- Chemical and biohazard-resistant dry suits
- Full face mask communication systems
- Specialized rescue and recovery equipment
Experienced and Certified Personnel
All four dive team members are veteran Port St. Lucie Police officers with extensive law enforcement backgrounds and accomplished diving credentials. Their specialized training encompasses:
- Basic SCUBA certifications
- Emergency response diving protocols
- Full face mask and dry suit operations
- Rescue diver certification
- Advanced underwater response techniques
Meeting Growing Community Needs
The establishment of the dive team reflects the Port St. Lucie Police Department’s commitment to expanding its services in response to the city’s continued growth and development. The unit will provide immediate underwater response capabilities that were previously unavailable locally, enhancing the department’s ability to serve and protect the community.
The dive team represents a strategic investment in public safety infrastructure, ensuring Port St. Lucie residents have access to professional underwater emergency services when needed most.
