Wilmington Police marine unit enhances training
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit is expanding its training efforts after another officer completed an advanced tactical boating course designed for high-risk situations on the water.
The marine unit, part of the department’s Special Operations Division, is tasked with keeping local waterways safe. Officers routinely train in real-world scenarios, and now that preparation is being enhanced through certification from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ Tactical Operator Course.
“You do a weeklong course where you learn how to do escorts and intercepts of other boats that are, may be, a threat to boats that we are escorting in,” said Sgt. Suzanne Genda, the latest member of the unit to complete the training.
Genda said the hands-on course focuses on high-speed boat handling and tactical approaches — skills used during escorts, interceptions, and safety patrols at large events.
“You’re basically putting the boat at full speed at other boats and making them turn and do what you want them to do,” said Genda.
On the Cape Fear River, officers practice advanced maneuvers such as 180-degree J-turns, S-turns, and “touch-and-go” contacts — where they approach another vessel, make contact, and quickly back away. Some exercises are conducted alongside partner agencies, including the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.
Police said the techniques, often performed at high speed, are designed to help officers safely control and stop vessels when necessary.
Genda said the course also emphasizes fundamental boating knowledge in addition to tactical maneuvers.
“It just helps you learn how to work the boat and know how it operates, and other boats too, because sometimes we get thrown on another boat and we have to assist on another boat, it helped me learn how to work with Brunswick County, New Hanover’s boats as well,” said Genda.
Officer Adam Phillips, who previously completed the course, said the department was ready to send Genda through the training.
“I actually attended it approximately, let me say about 13-14 years ago, one of the other sergeants we went through it a couple years after me, and so we were glad to be able to get her through it too, after the years of training experience that she has, we thought she was ready to go through that tactical class,” Phillips said.
Police say the training does not end after certification. Officers continue to apply and share those advanced skills across the unit, intending to strengthen safety and improve response on the water.
