The East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD) is proud to announce that they will be replacing one of their gas-powered pump-out boats with a fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump-out vessel. The Shoreline Regional Pump-Out Boat Program serves the waters off of Branford, East Haven, Guilford, New Haven and West Haven. Since 2000, the Health District has administered a “Federal Clean Vessel Act” grant that provides operating funds to reduce waste in the Long Island Sound.
To complete this project, ESDHD and the Shoreline Regional Pump-Out Boat Committee will be hosting fundraising events including an “October Fest Sunset Cruise” at the Stony Creek Brewery, October 13th, 3-7:00 pm. There will be two tours through the Thimble Islands aboard the Sea Mist (4:00-5:00pm and 5:30pm-6:30pm). The tickets will be $35.00 per person and will include one tour, one beer/wine ticket, a raffle ticket and light appetizers will be served. The golf tournament originally scheduled for September 21st, 2017, has been postponed until the Spring of 2018. More details will be provided in the coming months.
About our Program - Currently, two pump-out boats operate Friday through Monday, from May through October. Any recreational vessel using waters from any of the five towns listed above may have their vessel's waste holding tank pumped—FREE OF CHARGE! Over the past 17 years, this program has pumped well over 300,000 gallons of sewage, which may have otherwise ended up in the water!
ESDHD is in the process of working with a local marina to build a fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump-out vessel - which will be the first pump-out boat of its kind - to replace one the traditional gas-powered vessels. ESDHD is excited to enhance their ability to keep our waters, air and environment as clean and safe as possible for residents of the shoreline! In addition, it is our local commitment to reduce our carbon footprint towards a more sustainable energy source without contributing to climate change.
CT DEEP has funded this project at 75%, tasking us with fundraising the remaining money to build this vessel.
We will be hosting several fundraising events for what is being affectionately referred to as “MISSION: ZERO EMISSIONS” over the next few months:
- October Fest Sunset Boat Cruise: Join Captain Mike and the crew of the Sea Mist as you tour the famous Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford on October 13, 2017 3-7pm.
- “Mission: Zero Emissions” Golf Tournament, SPRING 2018. More details to come in the coming months!
- We also have a “Go Fund Me” page for members of the community who may contribute to towards the 25% local match: https://www.gofundme.com/solar-power-pump-out-boat
Special thanks to: The Guilford Foundation, The Branford Community Foundation, Greater New Haven Green Fund, Richard Squeri Insurance Agency, The Branford Yacht Club, Lynn’s Restaurant & Delicatessen, Hornet’s Nest Deli, Branford Shellfish Commission, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), Go Fund Me Contributors and our fantastic Pump -Out Boat Committee for all of their support thus far!
For further information/to purchase tickets, contact Bri Weller at the East Shore District Health Department, serving the towns of Branford, North Branford, and East Haven at (203)-481-4233 or by visiting our website at www.ESDHD.org.