The Darien Police Marine Division placed a new vessel in service this month.
After approximately a year of waiting for it to be built to custom specifications in Bremerton, Wa., the 27-foot Safeboat Full Cabin Defender arrived in Darien on Oct. 4.
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— an announcement from Darien Police
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Powered by twin Evinrude 300 hp motors, the boat has an aluminum hull and a foam collar allowing for “close up” operational work.
Thanks to The Darien Foundation for Technology & Community, the boat is equipped with several electronic components that will ensure the safety of the officers while performing their duties and allowing a more efficient response to emergencies on the water.
Some of the boat’s features include:
- Roof mounted and stabilized FLIR (forward looking infrared)
- Down Vision and Side Scan Sonar
- Remote control search lights
- High powered flood and LED exterior lighting
- Air conditioned cabin
- Chart plotter, GPS, and radar systems
- Sirius XM Marine Weather Receiver
- Commercial Grade VHF Radios
- MDT (Mobile Data Terminal)
- Rear Deck Video Camera
The Safeboat replaces a 10 year old 27’ Glacier Bay dual hull vessel that served the Marine Division well and now will be put up for sale. Due to growing maintenance costs, general wear and tear, and a demand for year round responses to emergencies, the decision was made in 2015 to pursue a new make and design so that the Marine Division can better accommodate the boating public in our area.
Safeboat was the chosen vendor due to its history in manufacturing boats suiting the needs of Law Enforcement across the country. Since 2002 the United States Coast Guard has used the same platform.