Dorset Police has launched two new vessels to improve safety and policing along the county’s coastline.
The new boats, Police Vessel Sentinel and Police Vessel Invictus, were funded by the Home Office and are now in service to support marine patrols and emergency response.
Sentinel is a Sargo flybridge boat, the first of its kind for Dorset Police, while Invictus is an 11-metre tactical rib made by Ultimate Boats.
The boats are equipped to handle rough weather and operate day or night, with Sentinel capable of travelling up to 500 nautical miles on a full tank and reaching speeds of 48 knots.
Both vessels are operated by specially trained marine police officers and will be used to carry out searches, investigate offences at sea, transport officers and equipment, and tackle anti-social behaviour on the water.
They will also support searches for missing persons along the coastline and allow officers to remain on the water for longer periods.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne said: “These new additions to our marine fleet, funded by the Home Office, allow us to better serve our communities and ensure we can put our specialist resources in the right places.”
David Sidwick, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Every year, thousands of people flock to Dorset to enjoy what our fantastic coastline has to offer, and these new cutting-edge vessels will not only enhance the Force’s capability to enforce the law along our coastline but help keep people safe.”
The vessels will also strengthen existing partnerships with HM Coastguard and the RNLI.