Mersey-based police boat ready for action as part of the river community

May 8 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Mersey-based police boat ready for action as part of the river community

A NEW police boat able to take underwater scans of other vessels and equipped with a remote controlled vehicle to help divers was unveiled in Liverpool’s Albert Dock.

The Consortium will be used by Merseyside, Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and North Wales police forces.

It is a converted Swift Trawler 42, and is the first one of its kind in the UK to be used by police.

The Rev John Williams, chaplain of the Naval Reserve at HMS Eaglet, said prayers over the boat, which was then officially named Consortium and christened with Champagne by Judith Greensmith, the High Sheriff of Merseyside.

It will be used by the specialist Underwater Search & Marine Unit and has been designed for high-visibility patrols as part of the National Mari-time Security Strategy.

Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and ACPO lead on National Maritime Security Strategy, said: “The consortium of forces are very proud to take possession of this boat.

“It is the first of this kind in the UK to be used specifically for policing the maritime environment. It will contribute to the government's strategy to secure maritime interests, making them less attractive to criminality and terrorism.

“We want it to become part of the river community.”