Three decades of maritime service honoured at Hobart’s waterfront
Meet what could be one of the hardest working members of the state’s police force. Now after defending Tasmania’s seas, it’s headed for international waters.
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A ship that has travelled the equivalent of 150 round trips of Tasmanian in maritime patrols left the state’s waters on Monday after nearly 30 years on the Tasmania Police force.
Patrol Vessel (PV) Van Diemen was decommissioned on Monday to make room for new Offshore Police Patrol Vessel set to be delivered in late 2024.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Robert Blackwood attended the decommissioning ceremony at Franklin Wharf, commending the “highly successful patrol history” of the PV Van Diemen.
“PV Van Diemen has been a significant asset to Tasmania Police and is renowned Australia wide,” he said.
“Since joining our fleet in 1995, the vessel has attained a highly successful patrol history, and proven itself on the waters of the Bass Strait, Tasman Sea, and rugged Southern Ocean.”
The Van Diemen was used mainly for patrols of southern Tasmanian waters, apprehending and detecting illegal fishers as well as performing numerous water rescues.
The Patrol Vessel will now travel to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast for an official handover to its new owner Australian Federal Police.
The boat will then travel to Papua New Guinea where it will join the fleet of the State Royal Papua New Guinea constabulary who patrol between PNG and northern Australia.
Inspector Justin Lawson managed the Marine and Rescue Services division of Tasmania Police, performing many rescues on-board the PV Van Diemen, travelling to Mooloolaba for the formal handover ceremony.
“The boat has a lot of memories for many of those on the force,” he said.
“The new boat is also being built by the same builder as the PV Van Diemen and Tasmania Police has a strong connection with the builder as well. She has been a wonderful asset for the state and it is a bittersweet moment to be a part of the formal handover.”
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