Sen. Susan Collins was in Raymond last Friday, Aug. 17, for a reception in honor of the U.S. Coast Guard patrol vessel the town acquired in June for patrolling Sebago Lake.

The reception was held at the Raymond Public Safety Building, and other guests included the Raymond Board of Selectmen, staff from the Portland Water District, and staff from Maine State Surplus.

Collins was instrumental in obtaining the 25-foot Ambar, which almost did not make it to Raymond after a misunderstanding that nearly sent it to California. Collins said that after Raymond Town Manager Don Willard and former state Rep. Joe Bruno contacted her asking for help, she was enthusiastic about putting a good word in for Raymond.

“I was eager to help them because I lived in Standish for several years, so I was happy to intercede with the Coast Guard,” said Collins.

Collins added that the Sebago Lake area in particular will be able to put the vessel to good use.

“The tragedy on Long Lake reminds us of the need for a patrol boat in the region,” said Collins, referring to the Harrison boating accident that killed two people on Aug. 11.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, Rep. Tom Allen, and Gov. John Baldacci also supported Raymond’s quest for the patrol boat, but were unable to attend the reception.

Though the boat will not be used in full capacity until next summer, it has been tested this summer on a couple of occasions. One of these was the Poker Run on July 14. Fire Chief Denis Morse said the presence of the patrol boat influenced high-speed boaters to slow down.

Morse said that public safety is in the process of running training sessions, and by next summer the boat will be on the water full time.

“We’ve had a lot of mutual interest,” said Morse, of collaboration with the Portland Water District and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.