Press Release, East Shore District Health Department

The East Shore District Health Department (ESDHD) was presented with the President’s Award by the 2022 States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) Education & Training Symposium, for ESDHD’s successful use of the Solar Shark, a fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump out vessel.

The Solar Shark is used in ESHDH’s Shoreline Regional Pump Out Boat Program, which serves the towns of Branford, East Haven, Guilford, New Haven, and West Haven.

Since 2000, the Health District has administered a Shoreline Regional Pump Out Service which pumps out sewage from any recreational boats free of charge with funds provided by “Federal Clean Vessel Act” grant through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). This project originated as a partnership between the Health District, the Town of Branford, and the Branford River Project. Boats operate Friday through Monday from May through October.

The boat, christened the Solar Shark, was launched in October of 2019, and began operation in the spring of 2020.

ESDHD’s Director Michael Pascucilla noted that, with the program expansion, we have worked with a local marina to build and utilize the first ever “fully electric, zero emissions, solar-powered pump out vessel,” which replaced a gas-powered combustible engine vessel.

ESDHD is excited about the recognition and its ability to keep our waters and environment as clean and safe as possible for residents of the shoreline.