Keeping Our Waters Safe: Saco-Biddeford Harbor Patrol

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	July, 2008	Return to newsletter index

The Harbor Patrol's 20' Boston Whaler.

During the latter part of the 1990's, the Saco and Biddeford Police Departments joined together to provide a police marine presence on the Saco River tidal waters and the Saco Bay area. The river portion of this patrol area includes from the mouth of the mighty Saco all the way upriver to the Main Street bridge and Cataract Dam. The larger Bay area covers not only the river mouth, where tidal action and currents occasionally create hazardous boating conditions, but extending out to Biddeford Pool, Ram, Eagle and Wood Islands. They also work with and assist the Maine Marine Patrol and United States Coast Guard with search and rescues on the water.

This joint effort has evolved into a police service that people have come to enjoy and expect. Officers on the river have created and maintained positive relationships with the boating community through their enforcement efforts, as well as educating the public on safe boating.

The boat currently being used by the Harbor Patrol is a 1996 20' Boston Whaler with a police package. This boat has a GPS system, radar, depth finder, and police and marine radios. The boat itself was loaned to the two cities by the Maine Marine Patrol at no cost.

Although we have used several types of watercraft over the years this boat better meets the needs of the communities and is more conducive to law enforcement duties. At present Saco has three officers available to operate the boat and Biddeford is currently providing two officers. Most of the officers selected for the boat have either served or are currently serving in the United States Navy or the Coast Guard, and one is a licensed Boat Captain. We have been very fortunate in benefitting from their experience and training.

In 2007 the Harbor Patrol conducted 274 safety checks; handled 205 wake zone violations and wrote 15 summonses. The violations that resulted in summonses being issued were: wake zone violations (11), personal floatation safety device violations (3), and an unregistered boat (1). The Harbor Patrol also responded to three vessels in distress, all in Saco Bay, one of which was taking on water and had drifted to a point just off Prout's Neck in Scarborough.

The Harbor Patrol performs a valued service to the community and we are proud of the good work they do!