Dorset Police has a new marine boat.
The boat will be used by officers from the Marine Section, which is staffed by two police constables, assisted by specially-trained officers from across the Force
It has been named ‘Flare’ by 12-year-old local Sea Scout Finlay Webb from 1st Lilliput group who won a naming competition.
Flare can seat up to four people, with the capability to carry a total of eight, and replaces the Force’s existing marine boat, which was no longer fit for purpose.
Humber RIBS from Hull have sponsored the craft and provided it to Dorset Police at a significantly reduced rate. The company is one of the market leaders in the production of high-quality and highly capable RIBS that meet the demand of Dorset’s challenging waters.
The craft is a Humber Ocean Pro 7.5m ACPO-coded RIB and is powered by twin counter rotating 140 Suzuki engines that encompasses Lean Burn Fuel Control, which will reduce the Force’s fuel usage and carbon footprint.
Dorset Police engaged with a number of other specialist suppliers who have provided equipment at a discounted rate as part of their commitment to support policing in the county.
Raymarine from Fareham supplied the advanced navigation and electronic systems and Scot Seats from Kilmarnock provided the shock mitigation seating, which can be adjusted to suit individual officers.
The Marine Section is based at Poole Quay and is responsible for policing the 89-miles of coastline in Dorset out to the territorial limit of 12 miles. This includes the busy and popular Weymouth and Christchurch harbours, the smaller fishing ports of West Bay, Lyme Regis and Swanage and the World’s second largest natural harbour at Poole.
The work carried out by the section is specialised and hugely diverse, and includes crime prevention patrols, responding to incidents on the water, searching for missing people, body recovery and boarding vessels with fisheries and ports officers.
Inspector Neil Leat, of the Marine Section, said: “We are delighted to have a sponsor like Humber RIBS who have provided us with a state-of-the-art craft which will enable us to continue to provide a visible presence on the water and help to protect our marine community.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “This new boat will boost Dorset Police’s marine capability and will protect the interests of maritime communities. It will allow officers to provide a visible presence on the Dorset coast and will contribute to the prevention of crime.”
Paul Chick MBE, head of transport services for Dorset Police, said: “Without the collaborative working between all parties we would not have had the budget to procure this fabulous craft that fully meets the needs of our marine section and ultimately the public we serve.”
