01 / Personal watercraft
Sea-Doo Explorer Pro 170
The craft selected for the campaign: a smaller, more agile addition to the Harbor Unit’s larger vessels.
Explore the Sea-Doo model ↗Stamford Police Department · Harbor Unit
Fundraising goal reached
A community effort.
A safer coastline.
Neighbors, local businesses, and community partners came together to fund a SeaDoo and rescue sled for Stamford’s Harbor Unit.
Thank you for helping protect the waters we share.
Raised together
$23,300
Confirmed October 15, 2024
$22,000 original goal$1,300 beyond goal
The Stamford Police Foundation confirmed the final total. Vincent Island offered a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $11,000.
On the water · Reported August 10, 2026
A rescue on Long Island Sound
Darien and Stamford crews answering the call together.
Darien Police reported that Marine Division officers Gannon and Costantini responded to a capsized vessel alongside the Stamford Police Department Marine Unit. The crews assisted the people involved and worked together to bring the situation under control.
The department shared these photographs and thanked both teams for their work. A personal watercraft and a police boat can be seen beside the overturned vessel.
This is the kind of coordinated response our campaign set out to support: trained crews with equipment suited to the waters they serve.
Read Darien Police’s rescue post ↗
Photos: Darien CT Police Department.
Why we came together
A smaller craft.
An important role.
Stamford’s coastline is a place to swim, paddle, sail, fish, and explore. Getting help to someone in shallow water presents a different challenge from patrolling the open harbor.
The Harbor Unit developed the SeaDoo concept to complement its larger boats with a small, agile craft suited to near-shore response. Vincent Island brought coastal neighborhoods and businesses together to help fund that equipment.
The campaign paired a SeaDoo with a rescue sled, with donations handled by the Stamford Police Foundation. It was a practical way for the community to support the people who keep our waters safe.
Meet the Stamford Police Harbor Unit ↗The campaign’s equipment
Built around near-shore response
The original fundraising plan brought two pieces of equipment together: a nimble personal watercraft and a dedicated rescue sled.
02 / Rescue equipment
XL rescue sled
A rescue sled was included in the fundraising goal to accompany the SeaDoo during water-response operations.
View the rescue sled ↗How it came together
A community campaign,
one milestone at a time.
Updates from the 2024 fundraiser, with the most recent result first.
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$23,300 raised. Thank you!
The Stamford Police Foundation confirmed the final fundraising total of $23,300. At the time of this update, the Harbor Unit was beginning procurement.
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The goal is reached
Additional support from the Stamford Harbor Commission, Halloween Yacht Club’s final pledge, and Vincent Island’s match brought the campaign to its goal.
Harbor Commission meeting record ↗ -
A reminder of the need
The campaign reported an incident in Westcott Cove in which a tuber pulled by a Jet Ski was injured. Low tide prevented emergency aid from reaching her for over an hour, reinforcing the need for equipment suited to shallow-water response.
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The first $5,000 in pledges
Community pledges exceeded $5,000. With Vincent Island’s matching commitment, the campaign was approaching the halfway point.
About the 2024 campaign
Your questions,
answered.
The original campaign’s questions and answers explain the plan, its partners, and how it was intended to work.
Doesn't the Harbor Unit already have boats?
The Harbor Unit had 3 boats until 2023 and are now down to only 2. Their primary boat is a 28 foot Rocksalt with twin Mercury Verado 300 4-stroke engines. The Rocksalt is a large, heavy boat that is not well suited for a rapid response to emergencies near the shore. In 2023, the City of Stamford approved funding for a 33 foot marine command center vessel with a cabin and galley for nearly $400,000 to be delivered in 2025.
What is special about this SeaDoo?
In contrast to the Harbor Unit's two large vessels, a SeaDoo is a small, fast, and nimble craft that can quickly respond to reach a person in the water in minutes. The SeaDoo is well suited for shallow water and rocky shorelines. It is a fraction of the cost of other vessels and will be available within months. The SeaDoo is a valuable addition to the Harbor Unit's fleet; it will be used in conjunction with the larger boats to provide the best possible service to the community.
Why doesn't the Stamford Police Department fund this itself?
Getting capital equipment purchases approved takes time, as well as significant bureaucratic and political will. Without the external purchase, funding for a SeaDoo is unlikely to happen soon, if at all. However, the Harbor Unit has pledged its personnel and existing resources to operate this, if there is the community interest in it. If the SeaDoo proves successful -- particularly if it saves even one life -- it will reinforce its need as a regular expenditure.
Where will the SeaDoo be placed and maintained?
Halloween Yacht Club (HYC) has graciously offered to host and store the SPDHU SeaDoo in its marina in Westcott Cove. SPDHU keeps its large vessels in Stamford Harbor, which takes 15 minutes to exit. This HYC location near the West Beach Boat Ramp is well situated for rapid response to West Beach, Cummings Park, and Cove Island Park. It is adjacent to the popular kayak and fishing routes near Shippan Point, where many emergency situations arise.
Who is operating the SeaDoo?
The SeaDoo will be operated by Stamford Harbor Unit officers, trained in first aid and equipped with emergency communication devices.
Why is the Police Harbor Unit getting the SeaDoo instead of the Fire Department or EMS?
The Harbor Unit is the primary public safety unit for the waters of Stamford. Through the Stamford emergency systems, Police, Fire and EMS are in constant communication. When the need for the SeaDoo resource arises to assist Fire or EMS, it can be dispatched through this system just like their other resources.
Why crowdfunding?
Without community support, this asset will not be introduced into the community anytime soon. If you or your neighborhood organization finds it worthwhile, please donate now!
Are there any awards or recognitions for my fundraiser participation?
Participants will be acknowledged on this website, on the Stamford Police Foundation website, and on a placard at Vincent Island. Donations greater than $100 will receive a unique 3D-printed "Thank You" gift.
Campaign record
Donation details & background
The SeaDoo fundraiser reached its goal in 2024. The original donation instructions and supporting material are retained below. For questions about a past donation or support for the Harbor Unit, contact Vincent Island.
Original donation instructions
The Stamford Police Foundation is the primary 501(c)(3) charity for the Stamford Police Department which handles the donations. Donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a letter of acknowledgement.
Go to the Stamford Police Foundation website to donate online with PayPal or credit/debit card.
We also accept check donations made payable to "Stamford Police Foundation" with "Harbor Unit use only" in the memo line, and mailed to the following address:
Robin Hayes
Point72, LP
72 Cummings Point Road
Stamford, CT 06902
Please send a quick email regarding your donation to info@vincentisland.com to ensure it is properly earmarked for the Harbor Unit and this fundraiser.
Thank you for any contribution and for helping to keep our waters safe!
Boating-safety background from the campaign
The fundraiser drew attention to the risks faced by boaters, paddlers, and swimmers along Stamford’s coastline, including near Vincent Island and Shippan Point. The Harbor Unit’s SeaDoo concept aimed to provide an additional tool for responding near shore.
