McMinnville officials have decided to abandon ship and sell the boat that sunk during a simulated river rescue.
“We need to get rid of the boat,” said McMinnville Fire Chief Kendall Mayfield during Tuesday night’s Safety Committee meeting. “We don’t need it and I would like to get rid of it.”
The boat was purchased by the city of McMinnville to be used by the Warren County Rescue Squad. However, a test in deep water of a boat designed for shallow water resulted in the boat tipping over and sinking in July 2013 at Riverfront Park.
Firefighters were simulating a river rescue in deep water, with two men in the boat attempting to pull one man out of the water, when the boat tilted to the side, filled with water and sunk.
As for the condition of the boat at this time, Mayfield says it runs.
“We did get it running,” he said. “However, it does not have a gas tank and it does not have a battery.” 
The city paid approximately $12,000 for the boat. Discussed was hope the city could get half that for it.
“What you have to realize is it has had a little submarine work done to it, too,” said Alderman Mike Neal, which brought a round of laughter from board members in attendance. “What do we want to do for a minimum reserve?”
Safety Committee members Neal, chairman, Everett Brock and Ryle Chastain voted unanimously to list the boat on www.govdeals.com with a minimum bid of $6,000.