Environment DEC
From the September 2003 issue
New Boats to Aid Marine and Freshwater Law Enforcement
DEC Commissioner Erin M. Crotty has announced the acquisition of new state-of-the-art watercraft that will help DEC's Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) in marine and freshwater enforcement operations across the state. Four new 31-foot patrol boats are being added to the personal watercraft (PWC) that DEC purchased last year.
The DEC fleet is used to conduct marine and freshwater fisheries enforcement operations and to enforce the Navigation Law. The new boats were obtained through state funds and grants from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Department of Commerce.
Boat Construction and Design
ECO Lt. Sam Servadio and Commissioner
Crotty take a spin in one of DEC's snappy
new patrol boats
The new patrol boats are aluminum-hulled, full-cabin vessels based on a design now used by the US Coast Guard, Navy, Marine Corps and other law enforcement agencies nationwide. They will improve DEC's ability to support other federal, state and local agencies during emergency situations.
The boats are capable of working in very heavy seas and will operate year-round. They are designed for trailer operations, allowing rapid response and short-notice movement from one area to another.
The patrol boats have a cruising speed of 28
knots and a top speed of more than 32 knots
The design will enable DEC officers to safely board another boat or ship while both watercraft are under power. This is necessary for inspecting fishing boats and for security checks. The boats will operate daily around Long Island, New York City, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
New Boat Features
The new patrol boats have the following features:
- Navigational aids--radios, radar, GPS, chart plotters, depth sounders and spotlights
- Two 225-horsepower, low-emission, 4-cycle outboard engines with a cruising speed of 28 knots and a top speed of more than 32 knots
- Lightweight frames, allowing for use in shallow water, enhanced speed and handling, and smaller crews
- Hydraulic haulers with davits to lift fishing gear and assist in evidence recovery, and to bring injured people on board
- 220- and 120-volt AC power supplied by 5-kilowatt generators, providing enough light for night operations
- 300-gallon fuel tanks that enable the boats to go for several days without refueling
Personal Watercraft
Law enforcement officers often are able to
approach other watercraft without being heard
thanks to the quiet 4-stroke engine that powers
DEC's PWCs
In spring 2002, DEC purchased 14 PWCs for use in monitoring individually owned PWCs operated on New York's waters, and to enforce applicable laws and regulations. DEC's PWCs are powered by 4-stroke engines and run 75 percent cleaner than conventional 2-stroke models. They also are quieter than 2-stroke models, often enabling officers to approach other watercraft without being heard. DEC's DLE is the first police agency in the Northeast to have acquired 4-stroke PWCs.
