Barnegat Marina Donates Slip Space For Police Marine Unit

BARNEGAT, NJ - The Barnegat Police Department’s Marine Unit has found a new home for the summer season thanks to one local business, officials said.

Bob’s Bay Marina donated a slip space to the police department at the Plank Road dock for the 2023 season, Barnegat police said in a statement Friday via social media.

“More than 6 square miles of our jurisdiction is on the water and the Marine Unit augments our capabilities to respond to life-threatening situations, crimes, and quality of life complaints in and around the bay and area waterways,” the department said.

“Our thanks to our area businesses, community groups, and residents whose continued support makes the unit possible.”

Mariner’s Marina of Barnegat was the previous home for the police unit.

The police department’s marine unit is a new addition in and of itself, having first launched in 2022. The seafaring unit allows local police to respond to water crimes without having to wait for mutual aid resources from state police or the Ocean County Sheriff's Department.

Another boat, a 2012 Defender 14' inflatable skiff with trailer, was donated by Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company Station 11.

Coastal Sign & Design of West Creek, The Rotary Club of Barnegat, and Sherer's Boat Basin all pitched in for the hull wrap, GPS/Chartplotters and VHF/FM Marine antennas, respectively.

"The Marine Unit was recognized as a need during the build-out of the BTPD modernization plan, however, budget constraints made starting a unit cost-prohibitive," Barnegat police said last year, adding that support from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection resulted in donations of a surplus boat, 2014 Carolina Skiff 218 and trailer at no cost.

You can view photos of the new slip space below: