The Tyngsborough Police Department’s new Marine Unit boat, a 2001 Carolina Skiff, was donated to the department by the Mascuppic Lake Association. Shown from left are Officer Olivia King, Edward Smith, president of the Mascuppic Lake Association, Officer Matthew Koziol and Officer Dominic Benjamin. Courtesy photo/Tyngsborough Police Department

TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. – Police Chief Richard Howe recently announced that the Mascuppic Lake Association donated a 2001 Carolina Skiff to the department’s Marine Unit, which patrols the 217-acre lake.

“This is a wonderful collaboration of people in this community working together for something that will benefit our residents and improve public safety,” said Howe.

Association President Edward Smith said it was a pleasure to make the donation.

“We had an older boat that was getting tired and needed replacement,” he said. “This new boat will be much safer and efficient for our Marine Unit officers. This has been a team effort between the Lake Association and the Tyngsborough Police Department over the last few years. We would like to thank Chief Howe, Deputy Chief Woods and the Marine Unit for the unparalleled service and dedication over the past years. This whole process shows that when a community works together, more things get done.”

The association had donated another boat, a 1997 Cobia, to the Tyngsborough Police in 2021, which allowed the department to launch its Marine Unit.

“We are extremely grateful to the Mascuppic Lake Association for their continued support of our Marine Unit,” said Officer Matthew Koziol, who serves on the unit. “Over the past couple years, this program has really developed. I would like to thank all the lake association members for making this happen and investing in us.”

The new boat will allow the six-member Marine Unit to patrol Mascuppic Lake throughout the summer months. It will also be used periodically on Long Pond.

The new vessel was put into service on June 16 as the Marine Unit removed more than 12 jet ski operators that were on the lake after dusk, when boating is not permitted.

The department is also part of the Merrimack River Task Force, a collaborative effort to enforce boating laws on the Merrimack River.

The Marine Unit became necessary as the number of visitors using the lake began to increase which triggered complaints from lakeside residents about reckless boating.

The Marine Unit consists of six officers who have completed 40 hours of basic crew member training from the State Environmental Police.