Readying for a floating patrol

Lt. Mike Ledet sat on the driver’s seat cushion of his 34-foot search and rescue boat, fist against his chin, and drew a deep breath.

He was about to start the second half of a long shift, on an evening when Terrebonne Parish waters were bound to be particularly crowded, and where his services might well be needed.

A lot of guys in law enforcement are motivated by the idea of locking up the bad guy, doing the TV-movie kind of thing and feeling that adrenaline surge. And this is very important, that there are people who do that.

Mike has locked up bad guys, and will do whatever is necessary for the job. But his primary motive for having continued this work for 20 years is the knowledge that he is able to keep people safe, and help out when they’re not.

“I feel good for helping people and I feel I’m good at it,” Mike said. “People shouldn’t always be fearing law enforcement. I think what we do is in the realm of serving and protecting.”

Monday night, the first full night of this year’s shrimp season, would likely result in a few calls for anything ranging from a vessel out of gas and stranded to a sinking boat, based on past experiences.

“Some people go out and haven’t had the boat out all year, maybe they’re just shrimping for the freezer,” he said. “Maybe they don’t check their pump and then the pump goes out.”

Few communities have a water patrol program as expansive or service oriented as Terrebonne’s.

Sheriff Jerry Larpenter, aware of the tremendous amount of boat traffic in local waters, as well as the diversity – from oilfield workboats to barges to pirogues – maintains that keeping the waters as safe as the highways is a primary responsibility of his agency.

In addition to Mike Ledet there are four full-time water patrol agents afloat. The division’s commander, Maj. Tommy Odom, works out of the Sheriff’s Motor Pool but is often on the water himself.

Mike’s partner for the shrimp season opening night is Deputy Quint Liner. The pair planned to travel area waterways in search of vessels in need, while remaining available for radio calls.

Terrebonne’s patrol boats are dispatched for drownings, pipeline ruptures, disabled boats and just about anything that can be imagined occurring on the water.

“You have to be prepared, you never know. You can have injured people, you could be bringing medics out. This vessel is more than a patrol boat, it’s a rescue boat and it’s even part ambulance. We also tow people’s vessels in.”

After checking his navigation lights, radios and other equipment, Mike recalled some of the rescues he has been involved with, then counseled a new water patrol deputy on how to best approach the night’s duties.

“For me I guess it’s kind of like for the shrimpers, it’s not just a job,” he said. “It’s a way of life.”