Knot on our watch! Marine Team new vessel

Humberside Police message :

Whilst the majority of our police vehicles take to the roads to tackle crime, our Marine team rely on a very different form of transport in order to police our waters and keep the community safe.

A detailed project, more than two years in the making, our Marine Team now have a ‘boat-iful’ new state-of-the-art vessel which is now patrolling rivers, coastline and ports across our region, as well as supporting other emergency services and partners.

Named ‘Galene’ after the Greek Goddess of the calm seas, it is the largest of its kind in our Force, complementing the fleet of vessels the team currently have access to for Marine patrolling and Underwater Search.

Following its launch, Marine Inspector Al Harvey spoke about what you can expect to see from the team.

How will boat ‘Galene’ contribute to tackling crime in our area?

With enhanced capabilities from the new boat, we will continue to carry out high visibility patrols across the Rivers Ouse, Trent and Humber preventing criminals from taking advantage of our waterways.  When necessary, Galene’s enhanced range will even allow it to venture into the North Sea.

Reaching speeds of 40 knots (46mph), and with a range of up to 400 miles, our new boat is a valuable and adaptable asset. 

The majority of marine traffic is safe and lawful, but we stand ready and able to tackle criminals who do use the water to transport drugs, weapons and counterfeit goods, or deliver people illegally into the UK. Where required our specially trained officers can pilot Galene to intercept other vessels. 

We can also use Galene to transport officers and resources (such as our firearms teams) to ensure we have the right resource in the right place at the right time.  Where necessary we will also use our new boat to help officers board other suspicious vessels, even ones larger than Galene.

Who is responsible for operating the boat now it is operational?

Working fulltime we have one Sergeant, one Specials Sergeant and four police officers who have all undertaken coxswains training to be able to operate the boat ‘sea-cessfully’ 

‘Galene’ is significantly larger than our other vessels, meaning the boat can accommodate three officers and seven passengers as well any equipment needed.

Depending on the nature of the incident the team are deployed to, numbers on board can vary, but at full capacity ‘Galene’ can carry up to ten people.

Can you tell us what technology you have available to you now?

We are pleased to have some ‘ferry’ impressive facilities on board including a state-of-the-art electronic navigation.

This new technology will enhance our capabilities to operate in a marine environment.  The boat is also supplied with equipment that enables us to recover people from our waters where necessary, all of which underlines our ongoing commitment to keeping the waterways of Humberside safe and secure.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Galene if you are out and about along our coastline across the region.