2 minute read

Fleet complete

from Police Life SPRING 2020

by Victoria Police

from Police Life SPRING 2020, page 2

A message from the Chief Commi...

Editorial: Natalie Butler

Photography: Grant Condon

Victoria's Water Police took to the wild waves of winter to put the final piece of the force's refurbished fleet to the test.

Five 7.5-metre Naiad rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) are being added to the Water Police’s squadron of vessels, completing a $7.2 million boat replacement program that started in 2017.

The boost to resources is one Water Police and Search and Rescue Inspector Greg Barras says helps maximise the police response when it comes to incidents at sea, which was particularly important over the cooler months

“Bad weather like strong winds and large waves mixed with small boats – that creates challenges in winter,” Insp Barras said.

“We often see issues at both inland and coastal locations, particularly involving fishermen who sometimes overestimate their ability and end up getting into trouble.

“There’s an opportunity for us to use these new vessels to police those waterways.”

The five new boats join the Water Police’s VP01, a 16.7m catamaran; VP02, an 11.9m monohull vessel; and five 6.2m RHIBs.

“It’s great – these are the last plank of the vessel replacement program,” Insp Barras said.

“These vessels are provided by the same manufacturer that provided the 6.2m vessels.

“What that means is it’s a smoother progression for our operators to move from the 6.2m boat to the 7.5m boat, as they have similar handling characteristics and operational systems.”

With five extra boats at the ready, there are ample options for police to patrol regional locations across the state, including Portland, which attracts large groups of people fishing for tuna throughout winter.

“Portland in June and July can be a fairly problematic place to police just because of its geographical location and the south-westerly winds that it gets,” Insp Barras said.

“For us to take our largest vessel down there, it’s a long way and there are limited opportunities to shelter along the coastline.

“If we can take a trailer boat that is fit for purpose, it enables us to get out and police areas that recreational and commercial vessels visit regularly.”

**Victoria Police’s five new 7.5-metre Naiad rigid hull inflatable boats can be towed anywhere in the state, giving police a presence in waterways at even the most far-flung locations.**

The vessel replacement program identified the emerging worldwide trend of using rubber collared patrol vessels across military and law enforcement agencies as best practice.

“This vision has driven the acquisition of a fleet of vessels that’s increased our search, rescue and enforcement capacity, enabling us to get alongside and interact with operators of both recreational and commercial boats,” Insp Barras said.

“Victoria Police’s water policing fleet has never been as good as it is now.

“Our people here are all competent, trained and qualified to operate the boats and this provides an excellent platform for us to ensure a safe boating environment year round.”