The NY/NJ Baykeeper Head Mistress, a new pumpout boat launched last month, is offering free pump-out services to recreational boaters in the Raritan Bay. The boat will service recreational boat heads up to Perth Amboy, and in Sandy Hook Bay to Atlantic Highlands.

"The goal of this program is to prevent recreational boaters from dumping their waste into our shared waterways," said Debbie Mans, Executive Director and Baykeeper. "Raritan Bay is a popular spot for boaters and we want to do our part to prevent pollution from reaching the Bay, as large numbers of recreational boats can contribute to seasonally high fecal coliform counts."

Middletown Mayor Gerard P. Scharfenberger, noted that "the addition of the pumpout boat service will go a long way toward helping maintain and preserve the bay environment for all those who utilize the wonderful resource".

To schedule an appointment with the pumpout boat operator call (732) 832-1499. If you are on the water the pumpout captain can be reached on Channel 9. To find out more information about NY/NJ Baykeeper and the pumpout program, please contact Amy Testa at (732) 888-9870 or testa@nynjbaykeeper.org.

"Thanks to funding from multiple sources, this service is free of charge to all boaters on a first come, first served basis," said Amy Testa, NY/NJ Baykeeper. "We hope that the Head Mistress will reduce sewage pollution by providing boats with a convenient and sanitary way to empty their heads, rather than dumping directly into our shared waters."

This project is funded by the Clean Vessel Act, IBoatNJ, Keyport, Hazlet, Atlantic Highlands, Matawan, Perth Amboy, and Middletown. Special thanks to John Olsen at Olsen’s Marina for providing the mooring. The project was made possible thanks to a loan from the Keyport Yacht Club. Ed Mustra , Keyport Yacht Club Rear Commodore, said that the Keyport Yacht Club was "very proud to have partnered with the Baykeeper since the beginning of this project".

"We dedicate this boat to all the Ospreys, Horseshoe Crabs, Harbor Seals, Bluefish, Striped Bass, Crabs, Eels, shorebirds, and other estuarine wildlife that are our neighbors and make the boat such a wonderful place to live," said Joe Reynolds, Bayshore Regional Watershed Council. "The pumpout boat will help all species of the bay better enjoy and thrive in our waters,"