Stonington - The police department plans to seek a federal grant to buy a new police boat, which could run as much as $350,000.

Police Capt. Jerry Desmond outlined the effort for the Board of Finance Wednesday, saying other towns in the region have obtained the same grant to pay for their new boats.

Desmond said the town's 24-foot, 200-horsepower boat, which was given to the department by an anonymous donor 13 years ago, is requiring more and more maintenance and will need to be replaced in several years.

The new boat would be larger and faster and have sophisticated sonar and radar systems. It also would be able to operate in more extreme weather conditions than the current boat.

If the town does receive the grant, it would have to agree that the boat would be available to respond to major incidents in nearby towns.

Desmond said he is researching vessels used by law enforcement agencies to see which would work best for the town.

The police department is requesting that $15,000 be put into the 2012-13 budget as the start of a multiyear plan to accumulate the money needed for a new boat in case the town does not receive the grant.

At Wednesday's meeting, finance board member Sandy Grimes asked whether there is a possibility that the town could acquire a boat that had been seized in a drug raid.

Board members and police officials chuckled at the thought of the police department having a cigarette boat patrolling its waters.

"This is the SPD (Stonington Police Department) not 'Miami Vice.' Next thing you know, we'll have Jerry (police Capt. Desmond) out there wearing white suits," cracked Board of Police Commissioners Chairwoman Susette Tibus, referencing the attire worn by Sonny Crockett, the character played by Don Johnson in the hit 1980s television show.

Desmond said the town would have to pay for the boat up front, then be reimbursed by the grant. But he said that process has taken only a month or two in other towns.

Board of Finance members said that short of a delay would not be a problem.

"If we get this boat, I think you'll have to take all the members of the Board of Finance out to the island (Sandy Point) for a picnic," joked board chairman Glenn Frishman.

j.wojtas@theday.com