By Emma Barhydt
As the sun glimmers off the water, a gentle breeze ripples through the sails, and the boating season in Greenwich officially sets sail. With boating becoming an increasingly popular and accessible pastime, the role of police boats in ensuring maritime safety and providing emergency services is more crucial than ever. The Greenwich Sentinel recently had the opportunity to interview the Marine Division of the Greenwich Police Department (GPD) to learn about their vital role in maintaining the safety of boaters in the area.
The GPD has stepped up its game with the addition of cutting-edge drone technology. In just a year, their state-of-the-art drone has assisted in multiple search and rescue operations and supported investigations. One standout feature is the payload device, allowing pilots to fly out and drop life jackets to those in distress – a game-changer in rescue missions. With two certified pilots and a third in training, the department is looking to expand its capabilities with more drone operators.
After an insightful conversation with the GPD’s leading Drone Officer, it was time to board the impressive police boat. A true testament to the phrase “serve and protect,” this vessel is a floating fortress of emergency services. The onboard patient care area is equipped with a LUCAS machine, oxygen, and a defibrillator, and a paramedic is available on weekends from 7 AM to 7 PM to treat patients promptly and effectively.
Besides its medical facilities, the boat boasts an advanced fire suppression system that can pump 2,000 gallons a minute into the fire hose, a jet engine, a pressurized cabin, and a fire monitor for extinguishing fires or shielding the boat if it’s too close to a blaze.
The boat’s crane can lift up to a thousand pounds, and its glass stretcher with flotation capabilities and a four-point harness system enables safe and efficient recovery of injured individuals from the water. Two of the GPD’s boats are fitted with jet drive engines, allowing them to operate in shallow waters and reach those in need who are stuck on rocks or in other precarious situations.
The boat was actually built from scratch with specs from the Greenwich Police Department so it includes a state of the art patient care area where a paramedic can treat patients en route. The patient care area includes a LUCAS machine – which is an automatic CPR provider – oxygen, and a defibrillator. In one notable incident last year, the Marine Division rescued a person experiencing a heart attack on Island Beach. Demonstrating their adaptability, the officers quickly transferred the individual to their boat and brought them to safety.
Another incident one October saw the team from the marine division combating a blaze on the water. Equipped with advanced technology like the fire monitor, this boat was a crucial asset in combating the fire.
Josh, one of the team members with us for the ride along, explained that he found himself operating the boat during the harrowing blaze at the the Water Club. A customer’s boat had caught fire while being refueled. With shallow waters and a high tide, the firefighting boat’s jet engine allowed the team to get as close as possible to the burning vessel.
The true strength of the GPD Marine Division lies in its dedicated members. All are required to be EMTs, with some also serving as paramedics. The team undergoes rigorous training, including a fast rescue boat class in Cape Cod, and participates in joint training exercises with other agencies, such as the Coast Guard.
Operating in two shifts during the boating season, the Marine Division is always on call to provide assistance and support. With two emergency responders on duty at all times, and personnel on call during overnight hours, the GPD Marine Division stands as the ever-vigilant guardians of the waves, ensuring safety and security for all who venture onto the waters of Greenwich.
