The United States Secret Service wants to purchase two jet
skis that would be used to train agents and help protect President Donald Trump—along
with his family and friends—while at vacation properties located near the
water, such as his exclusive south Florida Mar-a-Lago resort, according to an
order request posted Monday.
The federal agency requested two Kawaski jet skis,
watercrafts that each retail from $9,999 to $15,299. The request noted security
challenges that special agents face when traveling with Trump to places such as
Mar-a-Lago and the Hamptons.
"President Trump and his family spend several weeks
throughout the year in Mara Largo FL and Hamptons NY. The First Family is very
active in water sports," the
request reads, which was first highlighted by
Washington-based WRC-TV reporter Scott McFarlane.
"Several family members along with their guest
participate in open water activities for which USSS Special Agent Rescue Swimmers
are responsible," the request continues. "SA's have rented watercraft
with their own personal funds to allow them to be near our protectees in
various water environments to fulfill the USSS Rescue Swimmer mission."
The Secret Service said the jet skis would primarily be used
for training exercises and would be stored at a training facility in
Beltsville, Maryland. They would be transported via a dual trailer, which the
agency also wishes to purchase.
's unclear as to when the jet ski quotes are due,
considering the posting lists Tuesday but also says September 18 as the
deadline, which would be Wednesday.
Currently, the Secret Service provides rescue watercraft
training in North Carolina during a one-day course. However, the agency
explained in its request, a three- or four-day training course provided by
agents who are rescue swimmer instructors would be "more appropriate to
become a proficient operator/rescuer on a" rescue watercraft.
The jet skis will "be outfitted with rescue sleds (in a
separate purchase) that will be used by USSS Rescue Swimmers as training tools,
as well as assets that can be used on a variety of protective missions, as
needed," the request added.
The Secret Service also noted the agency's former
partnership with local officials in Hawaii for when former President Barack
Obama and his family vacationed there, stating that rescue swimmers used and
trained with jet skis for the same reasons.
