After three years from the initial specification to delivery, Dorset Police has just launched its new all weather marine boat, which will patrol the sea around Swanage and the rest of the Dorset coastline.
The new rib named Buccaneer, is stationed at Poole Quay and can be deployed at all times and in all types of weather conditions.
Dorset Police has produced a short film to show the enhanced capabilities of the new vessel, which was built by the company, Ribcraft in its factory in Yeovil in Somerset. In the video, the new boat is filmed patrolling the sea around the Old Harry Rocks, with Swanage in the distance.
“Investment from the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner”
Showcasing the video on social media, Dorset Police said:
“Following investment from the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, we’ve secured this new boat to more effectively serve our coastal and marine communities.”
Explaining the work that it undertakes, Dorset Police Chief Inspector Heather Dixey from specialist operations, force support group said:
“This vessel is used by the force support group to patrol the 98 miles of coastline along Dorset. We use it predominantly to tackle organised criminality and to reassure our local communities. We also work very much with our partners – the Border Force, RNLI, Maritime Coastguard and the Royal Navy.
“The police boat is used for search and rescue and also sadly, at times we have to use the vessel to locate missing people in the sea who may have died.”
The new boat features the latest marine navigation technology and search and rescue equipment.
Dorset Police marine boat spec:
- Length of boat: 11 metres
- Capacity: 8 people
- Fuel capacity: 600 litres
- Distance on a single tank: 200 miles
- Gross weight: 5.5 tons
- Top speed: 50 knots
“We operate in a pair”
In charge of all the equipment, as well as being a marine coxswain and the chief training instructor is Dorset Police Constable Bruce Murdoch. He described how operations are organised:
“When we operate the police boat, we operate in a pair. There’s always a police coxswain and the police coxswain is in charge of the boat, where we are going and everybody’s safety. While one is looking after the boat, the other one is running the incident.”
He added:
“It’s an honour to work for the police and do this role. It’s very exciting – it varies a lot. It’s not so good in the winter but we’ve now got a cabin, so we can work inside.”
Dorset Police Chief Inspector Heather Dixey waving to the Solent Scene passenger ferry
Serve the needs of Dorset’s marine communities
As a county with a long coastline, the boat allows Dorset Police to deal with incidents that other land-locked squads don’t have to cope with. While cars and other vehicles can attend incidents inland, this new vessel gives the police the capability to serve the needs of Dorset’s marine communities.
Dorset Police Chief Inspector Heather Dixey added:
“We’re very keen to engage with our marine communities and those enjoying the water, so if you’re out and about, please wave and say hello!”
