The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Search and Recovery Team (SAR) was formed in 1983 and is available for activation 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can respond anywhere in North Carolina with a request from a partner law enforcement agency. All members of the team are sworn deputies who are highly trained in land-and water-based search and recovery operations. In recent years, this elite team of divers assisted with recovery efforts in North Carolina following major natural disasters such as hurricanes as well as recovering evidence for major crimes.

Functions

• Search for and recover victims of drowning
• Search for and recover evidence or items related to crimes
• Search for overdue or missing persons
• Promote water and boating safety to the public
• Respond to catastrophic incidents

• Rescue One Boat  
• 25-foot Pontoon boat
• 21-foot Carolina Skiff
• 14-foot aluminum Jon boat
• Underwater cameras
• Recovery lift bags
• Guardian full face masks with communications
• Dry suits for cold weather and contamination diving