First look inside new police boat launched in Gold Coast waters

Gold Coasters have been given their first look inside a new 12-metre police vessel set to start patrolling the city’s waters. SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE INSIDE

GOLD Coast Water Police have revealed a new 12-metre vessel set to start patrolling the city’s waters is capable of going up to 83km/h.

The new boat, which weighs in about 18 tonnes with a cruising speed of 48km/h, will replace the previous police vessel “D A Shean”, which has been part of the police fleet since 2004.

The vessel is ready to patrol the city’s waters. Photo: Brianna Morris-Grant

Gold Coast District Officer Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said it would be a valuable addition to the city’s existing assets.

“Safety on our waterways and out in the deep water around the Gold Coast is really important,” he said.

Inside the vessel. Photo: Brianna Morris-Grant

“And we’ve seen the good work that’s been done by water police and our partner agencies in dealing with even the restrictions around COVID-19.

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“Whenever you get a new asset and particularly when you grow the fleet obviously that’s more capacity for (water policing).”

Complete with kitchenette. Photo: Brianna Morris-Grant

Officer in charge of the Gold Coast Water Police and Senior Sergeant Jay Notaro said it had improved the city’s capability for “offshore rescue operations”.

It features state of the art equipment. Photo: Brianna Morris-Grant

“The speed that it has and also what it can do in relation to the size of the waves and things it can go through is certainly significant compared to our previous vessel,” he said.

“It’s one of the best we have as far as our fleet’s concerned.”

The new boat is capable of going up to 83km/h. Photo: Brianna Morris-Grant

The boat was built in Mornington Victoria by Hart Marine.

An official naming and commissioning ceremony will be held once COVID-19 restrictions allow.