More firepower for Water Police fleet

Victorian Water Police is upgraded its 35-strong but ageing fleet of patrol boats with 11 new craft costing a collective $7 million.

Minister for Police Lisa Neville said the first of the new ‘patrol boats’ arrives in July 2017. The new vessels will range from 6.3 metres to 16 metres in length, with more large RIBS in the fleet.

"Our water police need a modern, well-resourced fleet. These 11 new boats will give them what they need to enforce maritime laws and make sure all Victorians can enjoy the water safely," Minister Neville says.

The current police fleet ranges from large vessels to inflatable rescue boats and jet skis to allow them to work on all state waterways, as well as long offshore rescue missions. But newer boats with better gear are needed.

Of course, electronics will feature heavily on the new boats, with underwater scanning technology, forward-facing infra-red cameras, night vision and updated navigation and communications systems on the spec list.

FEARLESS DECOMMISSIONED
Water Police’s largest boat VP01 Fearless will now be decommissioned over the next 12 months as part of the $7.2m program to replace older vessels.

The 17-metre boat has played a key part in a number of significant offshore marine search and rescues since 2006, including the successful rescue of three crew from the George Bass Expedition in 2012 and the search for a man who went overboard from a ferry into the Bass Strait last year.

Superintendent John Todor said the new vessels would be safer and more reliable. The old vessels being replaced will be either sold at auction or refurbished and absorbed into the volunteer marine search and rescue fleet.

"As well as an offshore patrol vessel to replace VP01 Fearless, we will have multiple coastal and inshore vessels, including inflatable rescue boats.

"The new vessels will help in responding to more than 800 calls for assistance a year, performing patrol and rescue operations in Port Phillip Bay, Gippsland Lakes, inland water ways and out into surrounding Victorian coastal waters."

The VP01 Fearless is a counter-terrorism and port security vessel bought in 2006. But the Water Police has said it wants to standardise the fleet with one type of vessel at each length — that is, 6m, 7.4m, 12m and 15m — rather than a hotchpotch of different craft.

Under the overhaul, the 17m VP01 Fearless will be replaced with a commercial 15m to 18m vessel and VP02, a Steber 40, with a commercial rigid-hulled inflatable boat-style vessel between 11.5m and 11.9m in length.

WATER POLICE DUTIES
Victorian Water Police are on call and patrolling Port Phillip and Western Port bays, as well as coastal, enclosed and inland waters throughout the state, no less than 24-hours a day.

The Police coordinate all marine search and rescues, enforce maritime laws and regulations and ensure all vessels are equipped with appropriate safety equipment and are complying with registration requirements.

The Water Police Squad receives more than 800 calls for help every year, and checks almost 8500 vessels, jet skis and kayaks for safety compliance. Since July last year, they have issued 2892 infringements.

"Beach or bay, lake or river, our police are out each and every day keeping Victorians safe in the water," Minister Neville says.

BUSY VIC SUMMER
Meantime, Vic Water Police say they have had a busy summer so far in enforcing recreational and commercial boating activity.

Since July 2016, during both covert and overt operations, Water Police have issued 2892 penalty notices for offences such as failing to wear personal flotation devices (life jackets), exceeding the speed limit in a specified area and being unlicensed.

Water Police have also responded to 854 marine incidents and three boating fatalities, and checked 5472 vessels, 2754 personal watercrafts (jet skis) and 256 kayaks for safety compliance.

"Most boat operators or those people on jet skis and in kayaks are doing the right thing, and enjoy their recreational activity within the rules and safely," Supt Todor said.

"However we continue to find those that still operate in a dangerous, reckless or negligent manner. In particular, personal watercraft operators need to be familiar with the designated ‘no boating zones’ and ‘swim zones’ with reduced speed limits.

BOATING SAFETY CHECKS
Water Police remind boaters to make sure their safety equipment is correct for their vessel and, most importantly, know when and where you need to have a life jacket on.

"And alcohol use and boating don’t mix. Police continue to enforce blood alcohol limits on the water and at boat ramps," Supt Todor adds.

Water Police will continue to run operations, including over the March 2017 long weekend. Safe boating tips and advice at Maritime Safety Victoria.