Cheetah Marine part of the RS Marine Group, has been awarded a £350,000 contract to design and build a state-of-the-art police boat for the Devon and Cornwall Police Force. This bespoke catamaran will enhance the force’s coastal operations, providing a versatile and high-performance solution to tackle key challenges, including organised immigration crime (OIC) and other maritime law enforcement activities.
The bespoke power catamaran, which will be built to meet the specific needs of Devon and Cornwall Police, will offer an array of advanced features, including:
- Multi-functional capabilities for marine patrols, diving operations, personnel transportation, and support for remotely operated underwater vehicles.
- Impressive high-speed performance, with a top speed exceeding 40 knots, allowing rapid response to maritime incidents.
- Heavyweight capacity and ample space to accommodate specialist equipment.
- Superior ride quality for enhanced safety and crew comfort, even in extreme conditions.
- Full compliance with Police Boat Code Category B standards and MCA Category 2 regulations.
- A vessel size range of 10 to 11.5 metres, with a minimum range of 180 nautical miles.
- Seating capacity for up to 10 personnel, ensuring the boat is well-equipped to support a full operational team.
Sergeant Stuart Tucker, from Devon and Cornwall Police Marine Unit, commented: “We are really excited to be working with Cheetah Marine on our new police vessel. Cheetah work with police forces around the country and many of our colleagues have Cheetahs within their force. We have enjoyed seeing their production facilities and spending time in turning our specifications and ideas into reality. This will be a useful asset to help keep our coastlines and communities safer.”
Cheetah Marine’s longstanding reputation for crafting robust, high-performance vessels made them the clear choice for this project. The contract marks the fourth vessel commissioned by a UK police authority and highlights Cheetah Marine’s dedication to delivering exceptional, tailor-made solutions to meet the demanding requirements of law enforcement agencies.
Bas Edmonds, Head of Cheetah Marine, commented, “We are extremely proud to have been selected to build this flagship police boat for Devon and Cornwall Police. We have built boats for a number of overseas agencies including the recent delivery of a boat to the Turks and Caicos environment and coastal resources agency. Our team is committed to providing innovative, high-quality solutions that empower our clients to perform their critical missions with confidence and efficiency. This contract is a testament to our expertise in designing vessels that deliver in the toughest conditions, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with law enforcement agencies across the UK.”
