Marine Patrol
Old Saybrook is bordered on the south by Long Island Sound and on the east by the Connecticut River, which is the largest waterway system in New England. Our twelve miles of coastline is used extensively by recreational and commercial vessel traffic. The ease to Long Island Sound draws boaters from across the state and from New England and surrounding states. We have also noticed in recent years an increase in foreign registered vessels. Boats from Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands and from throughout the Caribbean make Old Saybrook their home for weeks at a time during the summer months. Our marinas have reported a steady increase in vessel traffic and gas sales.
As a result the department has an active marine patrol division that patrols the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound to its border with New York State. The division is manned by civilian boat handlers and police officers. The officers have received specialized training from the State Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Coast Guard in such areas as marine law enforcement, boardings, drug interdiction, alien smuggling, navigation, accident investigation and search & rescue. We work very closely with surrounding local, state and federal marine authorities to ensure that all persons and watercraft using our waters do so in a safe and enjoyable manner.
The division is responsible for law enforcement as well as search & rescue on our waters and assist surrounding towns in the event of a life threatening emergency. Boating education is a large part of our duties. We educate the boating public on recent addition to marine statutes and conduct safety inspections of vessels. In addition, severe and minor accidents have been investigated and in recent years two fatalities have occurred in waters.
The marine division’s 23 foot SeaArk Patrol vessel is on patrol from May-October each year. It is equipped with a wide range of navigation equipment and a radio direction finder. In addition, first aid equipment and oxygen are carried aboard for emergencies on the water. Also, the patrol vessel acts as a platform for the department’s dive team should their services be needed in the Connecticut River or Long Island Sound for search & rescue and underwater evidence recovery or any underwater investigation