New Pumpout Boat For Southold Town Protects Waterways

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Southold Town officials unveiled a new pumpout boat last week — an important means of protecting the environment.

The town's new custom pumpout boat was delivered to Cutchogue Harbor Marina on Thursday. The 23' center console VHF radio, 420-gallon pump-kleen pumpout boat with 200 hp Honda, was delivered from Marine Boat Builders, Co., in Warwick, RI. The boat has a custom-made, built in, 420-gallon fiberglass holding tank; Edison pump runs sewage tank located under the center console. An alarm signals when the tank is full, according to specs provided by Southold Town Trustee Michael Domino.

The total cost was $99,211, but the town was awarded a grant from Suffolk County for $19,700 and another through the New York State Clean Vessel program for $60,000; Southold Town's cost was $19,500.

Pumpout boats are critical to protecting the health of the waterways, trustees said: In 2018, 2,511 gallons of effluent were collected and kept out of local waters, trustees said, adding that they believe the new vessel will provide more than a decade of benefit to the town.

Town trustees' office staff help to coordinate the pumpout program, which is slated to run weekends and holidays, weather permitting, from Saturday, May 25 through Columbus Day, Oct. 14.

The board of trustees thanked Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell, the town board, and all other town staffers who helped coordinate the acquisition of the new vessel.

The new pumpout boat, Russell said, "is vitally important for maintaining the health of our water bodies. It is not only environmentally compelling, it provides a much needed service to our boaters. The new boat is a win- win for the community and the trustees are to be commended for finding the funding to help offset the cost of the purchase."