This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
10/09/2017 08:22 AMOn Friday, Oct. 13, take a sunset cruise on Branford waters, and help bring in the final funds needed to help East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD) launch what is believed to be the world's first fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump out vessel.
"It's the first solar electric pump-out boat of its kind; and from what we can see, it's the first one in the world," said ESDHD Director Michael Pascucilla. "It's cool on several levels. It's cleaning up water quality and keeping waste out of the water, and at same time, it's a boat with no combustible engine. It's a great project."
The 24-foot prototype boat will be launched next spring, developed by Pilots Point Marina in Westbrook, said Pascucilla.
"The boat is going to be in the water next year, this coming spring. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is very excited about it, along with our state," said Pascucilla.
In August, along with the state, ESDHD gave a presentation on the boat at the 2017 States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) Conference in Alaska.
"They're looking at having a boat like this in every state," said Pascucilla. "It protects the environment and brings water [conservation] full circle."
ESDHD's new solar-powered vessel will replace one of two gas-powered vessels currently in use in the pump-out program. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint with its solar-powered electric operating system and boat engine, over time, the vessel will also deliver a savings in fuel and maintenance costs.
Based in Branford, ESDHS's pump-out program now serves the towns of Branford, Guilford, East Haven, West Haven, and New Haven. The free-pump out service assists about 600 area boats per season. Pump-outs safely remove and dispose of marine toilet waste filling holds of recreational boats. In it's past 17 years, the program has pumped up out well over 300,000 gallons of sewage that could have ended up in Long Island Sound.
About two years ago, Pascucilla announced that the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) would provide a grant, funded through the Federal Clean Vessel Act (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), for 75 percent of the $200,000 project cost. Since then, ESDHD and it's Shoreline Regional Pump-Out Boat Committee have been committed to raising the additional funds.
"The other twenty-five percent has to be local matching funds of roughly $50,000 that we're obligated to raise. So we need the help of our community," said Pascucilla.
ESDHD's final fundraising push began in July, with events running under the banner "Mission: Zero Emissions;" and continues with the October Fest Sunset Cruise set for Friday, Oct. 13 at Stony Creek Brewery. To help community members make a contribution at any time, ESDHD has also set up a GoFundMe page here. A 2018 golf tourney is also being planned to help bring in final funds needed.
The October Fest Sunset Cruise includes a tour through the Thimble Islands aboard the Sea Mist, one beer/wine ticket, a raffle ticket and light appetizers. Two cruises will be available, at 4 – 5 p.m. and 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person.
To purchase tickets, contact Bri Weller at the East Shore District Health Department at (203) 481-4233 or visit www.esdhd.org for more information.